
Glass \" r \ A • 



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AN ADDRESS 

DELIVERED BEFORE 

THE LITERARY ASSOCIATION, 

BLANDFORD, MASS., 
September 21st, 1850. 

UPON 

HISTORY OS THAT TOWN. 



BY WILLIAM H. GIBBS. 



Price 25 Cents. 



SPRINGFIELD : 

GEO. W. WILSON, PRINTER, MAIN STREET. 

1850. 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



LITERARY ASSOCIATION, 



BLANDFORD, MASS., SEPT. 21, 1850, 



UPON THE HISTORY OF THAT TOWN. 



BY WILLIAM H. GIBBS. 



PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. 




SPRINGFIELD: 

G. W. WILSON, PRINTER, CORNER MAIN AND STATE STS. 

18 5 0. 



REQUEST FOR PUBLICATION. 



" Whereas, our President, Mr. "William H. Gibbs, in researches 
after the facts embodied in his Historical Address upon Blandford, 
has incurred much trouble and expense, therefore, — 

" Resolved) That the members of the Blandford Literary Associa- 
tion consider it an able, interesting, and valuable document, well 
worthy of preservation, by which the compiler has not only con- 
ferred honor upon himself, but also produced a work which needs 
but an examination to be duly appreciated. 

" Resolved, That in esprc ssing our cordial thanks to Mr. Gibbs 
for this Address, we would earnestly request and advise its pub- 
lication. 

11 Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions, signed by the 
Secretary of this Association, be presented to Mr. Gibbs, as a testi- 
monial of our regard for himself and his Address. 

"HENRY B. LEWIS, Secretary. 

11 Blandford, Mass., September 21, 1850." 






PREFACE. 



In presenting this Address to the public, our only 
apology will be, the earnest request of the Association 
before which it has been delivered, and the encourage- 
ment and advice of many of our prominent towns- 
people. 

We commenced its compilation with the thought, to 
amuse ourself in tracing out the numerous pleasing 
incidents connected with the early history and first 
settlers of Blandford ; and ultimately, if deemed worthy, 
to present the product of our labors to the present 
citizens, in the form of an Address. Our object is 
accomplished in the work which we now introduce to 
your favorable notice. 

The plan has proved to be more difficult than we had 
anticipated. We should scarcely have undertaken it, 
had we conceived the perplexity and expense which the 
act involved. Many of the facts here presented, were 
obtained from a Historical Sermon, preached by the 



Rev. John Keep, in 1821, and from a Centennial Ad- 
dress delivered in 1S35, by Hon. Patrick Boies. 

We have also consulted the aged people, who are 
living witnesses among us, diligently searched the 
town records, and visited the tombs of our ancestors. 

Our acknowledgments are likewise due the following 
gentlemen, viz. : — Col. Justin Wilson, Reuben Boies, 
Esq., Mr. James Watson, Enos Boies, Esq., Mr. John 
Gibbs, and many others of our friends, for information 
furnished us, and to Mr. Francis H. Firmin, of Spring- 
field, for his valuable attention during the publication. 

We trust these brief pages will be found interesting, 
not only to the citizens of our own, but also to those of 
the adjoining towns, and of the State generally. 

W. H. G. 

Blandford, October 1st, 1850. 



ADDRESS. 



The study of History, is now extensively regarded 
a useful as well as pleasing occupation. In the general 
history of a country we read the nation's biography, 
and from its bright and dark periods gather lessons to 
guide us in future action. Indeed from the history 
of smaller communities, our individual states and even 
towns, much interesting information may be gleaned. 
And no portion of history more deeply engages our 
attention than that which narrates the sufferings and 
triumphs of our immediate ancestors. In the history 
of our town, which fills but a brief chapter, we have 
collected the fresh memorials and recent traditions of 
our progenitors, and are enabled for the time to mingle 
with their spirits. To pursue a few reminiscences of 
the past history of our town, to bring again into notice 
some of those whose names we bear, and whose places 
we occupy, and to present such lessons as their experi- 
ence may inculcate, is the purpose of this address. 
As the state records were burned in Boston, and as the 
early settlers kept no record until six years after the 
settlement, the materials for the commencement of this 
history are scanty and obscure. It appears from the 
facts which we are now able to offer, that about the 
year 1732,* the land embraced in the town plot was 
granted by the General Court of the province of Mas- 

* P. Boise's Address. 
1 



6 



sachusetts Bay, to certain proprietors of common and 
undivided lands in the town of Suffield, Ct., as an equiv- 
alent for a tract of land taken from them in establishing 
the dividing line between Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut. The dimensions of the township were then esti- 
mated at six miles square. The proprietors soon after 
conveyed the whole tract to Christopher Jacob Law- 
ton, then a resident in Suffield. In January 1735, Mr. 
Lawton by deeds of conveyance, sold (2) two undivided 
fourth parts of the land to Francis Wells and John Faye. 
and in July of the same year he conveyed one undivided 
fourth part to Francis Brinley. In these conveyances 
by Mr. Lawton, there was made a reservation of certain 
portions as lots ior settlers. Messrs. Lawton, Wells, 
Faye and Brinley thus became proprietors in common 
of the township. These proprietors engaged General 
Roger Newbury of Windsor, Connecticut, to survey the 
township and divide it into five hundred acre lots. 
Tradition informs us that the proprietors ordered the 
township to be surveyed seven instead of six miles 
square. This was a stratagem, and was carefully conceal- 
ed from the Crown and Colonial Legislature to whom 
it was disguised as a mistake. Since, however, they 
had incurred a great amount of expense in the survey, 
the proprietors claimed the entire seven miles square, 
and the Colonial Legislature regarding the position 
as a frontier settlement, granted the bequest, but 
with one condition, that fifty emigrants should be 
procured and settled immediately, to repel the aggres- 
sions of the Savages, and afford a defence to the interior 
townships. To fulfill the stipulations entered into with 
the Legislature, the proprietors issued proposals for 



the settlement of the first fifty families. Two sixty acre 
lots were promised as a reward, one of which should 
be located on the Main Street as it now runs, and the 
other in the Easterly part of the town, well known by 
the name of " second division," from its being the sec- 
ond range of lots. In view of the advantages of this 
offer, the fathers of this town came here from Hopkin- 
ton and vicinity, 34 miles west of Boston, to make the 
settlement. Previous to their coming, they sent a 
number of bold and courageous young men to select 
the best route and erect habitations for their reception. 
These hardy adventurers reached the center of this 
town in the latter part of April, 1735. On the day of 
their arrival, a severe snow-storm commenced and con- 
tinued three days, leaving a body of snow on the ground 
to the depth of three or four feet. We can but faintly 
imagine their sufferings. No friends were there to 
administer consolation and comfort, no fireside sent 
forth a genial heat, no shelter save the Canopy of 
Heaven, to ward off the rude blasts. 

But the snow soon began to waste, and the sufferers 
were enabled to prosecute the object of their pilgrim- 
age. A few brush were cleared away, trees were 
felled, and temporary cabins were erected. The first 
families arrived the following Autumn, the residue the 
succeeding Spring. Hugh Black was the first man who 
arrived with his family. He settled near the place 
where Mr. John Osborn now resides. Nearly opposite 
Mr. Osborn's was erected the first dwelling house ever 
inhabited in Blandford. Here the wilderness first began 
to bud and blossom, the result of the toil and enterprise 
of civilized man. The next individual who emigrated 



8 



to this town with his family was James Baird. He 
erected a rude dwelling near the place where William 
Culver now resides, a distance of nearly four miles 
from Mr. Black's. Why did not these families settle in 
the same neighborhood 1 This question may be of diffi- 
cult solution, except that we advert to the fact that those 
individuals who possess the enterprise and hardihood 
to penetrate the unbroken forest, manifest a preference 
for secluded homes, where the surrounding improve- 
ments may testify that "my hands did this." At the 
house of Hugh Black the proprietors began to number 
the farms they designed to give the first fifty families. 

The settlers selected their farms by lot, and the names 
of several families who obtained farms on the west side 
of the town street, are left on record, viz : Messrs. 
Black, Reed, McClinton, Taggart, Brown, Anderson, 
Hamilton, Wells, Blair, Stewart, Montgomery, Boise, 
Ferguson, Campbell, Wilson, Sennett, Young, Knox, 
and Gibbs. The majority of the above-named persons 
became permanent residents upon the lots they drew. 
The north lot drawn was the one now occupied by 
Isaac Gibbs. The entire country betwen this house 
and Montreal in Canada, was a trackless wilderness 
without a single English inhabitant to relieve its gloom 

A fort had been constructed at Williamstown, and 
another at Crown Point, which were occupied only by 
a few soldiers in time of war. The nearest settlement 
was Westfield, ten miles east. The first framed house 
was erected upon the farm now occupied by Stephen 
Burton, and the first framed barn, upon that now owned 
by John Gibbs. 

The team which drew the first cart that entered the 



9 



town, was driven by Widow Moses Can* while the men 
were repairing the road. It is said that the team 
belonged to Tsrael Gibbs, who settled upon the farm 
now owned by John Gibbs ; and his son Tsrael was the 
first male child born in this town. 

The number of families which emigrated with the 
second company, cannot be ascertained. Their pro- 
gress in ascending the mountain through Russell, was 
laborious and disheartening. They commenced the 
ascent at " Sackett's Tavern," (on the old Westfield 
road), a distance slightly exceeding seven miles to the 
center of this town. The ascent of the mountain began 
on the margin of the river, and continued up a rocky 
ledge, which, from its rude and forbidding appearance, 
acquired the name of " Devil's Stairs." Such was the 
difficulty of forcing a passage up the hills and through 
the unsubdued forest, that the team was able to travel 
only two miles the first day. As night came on, they 
encamped in the forest. The second day they reached 
the top of " Birch Hill," and again encamped for the 
night in the midst of beasts of prey and venemous reptiles. 
On tTie third day, these wearied families arrived at their 
anticipated home, and seated in their log hut, partici- 
pated in the bounties it afforded. That cabin was 
erected on the place now occupied by David Hamilton. 

Soon after a part of these families removed farther 
north, in reaching their locality they had to pass 
through the " Causeway," then a pathless hemlock 
swamp. This passage required a day of severe toil. 
James Bnird, an athletic man belonging to the company, 
was S3 fatigued in accomplishing this task, that on leav- 
ing the swamp, he immediately threw himself upon the 

*l 



10 



earth and quietly slumbered during the night beneath the 
branches of a large hemlock. His family consisting of 
eight persons, is believed to have removed with him. 
In a similar manner other families urged their toilsome 
way to their respective places of residence. The trial 
and perplexities which they endured, cannot be describ- 
ed ! Probably there is not a parallel in the history of 
the settlement of any town upon the mountains. 

But these discouragements are in a measure expe- 
rienced in the settlement of all new colonies, not how- 
ever in the eminent degree that they were by the settlers 
of these regions. 

The adventurer who now penetrates the far west, 
may carry with him some of the comforts of civilized 
life, but when our fathers emigrated to this town, few 
of the luxuries of existence were known in the country, 
which may perhaps account for the health and vigor 
of their constitutions. These early settlers were men 
of great decision, boldness, and independence. 

* In 1737 the proprietors became owners of their 
lands severally by a f deed of partition. By this they 

* P. Boise's address. 

1 2Tf)f» foitrentltte, made the Thirtyth Day of March, In the 
Tenth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the 
Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
King, Defender of the Faith, &c ; — and in the year of our Lord and 
Christ One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven, between 
Christopher Jacob Lavvton, now of Leicester, in the county of "Wor- 
cester and Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and 
late of Suffield, in the county of Hampshire and Province aforesaid. 
Esqr., of the first part, Francis Brinley of Roxbury in the county of 
Suffolk and Province aforesaid Esqr., of the second part, Francis 
Wells of Cambridge in the county of Middlesex and Province afore- 



11 



apportioned between themselves (51) fifty one lots of 
land. Messrs Lavvton, Brinley and Faye took thirteen 



said Esqr. of the third part, and John Faye of Charlestown in the 
said county of Middlesex, Merchant of the fourth part. S^fjereas 
The said Christopher Jacob Lavvton by his Deed Poll, bearing date 
the Eighth day of July, A. D. One Thousand "Seven Hundred and 
Thirty-five, among other things therein contained, did for the Con- 
sideration therein mentioned, Grant, Bargain and Sell unto the said 
Francis Brinley and his heirs, one undivided fourth Part (Except as 
in the said Deed is Excepted) of a Certain Tract of Land with the 
Appurteances, Situate lying being in the said county of Hampshire, 
on the west side of Connecticut River, which said Tract is reputed 
to be six miles square and was granted in or about the year of Our 
Lord one thousand seven hundred and Thirty two by the Great and 
General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts bay aforesaid, 
to the Commoners by Proprietors of the Common and undivided 
lands in the town of Suffield aforesaid as an equivalent for a quantity 
of Land taken from them in running the Line between the aforesaid 
Province and the Colony of Connecticut, and had been purchased of 
the aforesaid Commoners and Proprietors by the said Christopher 
Jacob Lawton and commonly called and known by the Name of the 
" Glascow Lands." And also by two other Deeds Poll, both bearing 
date the seventeenth day of January, A. D. one thousand seven hun- 
dred and thirty-five (among other things therein contained) did for the 
Consideration therein mentioned, Grant Bargain and Sell Two other 
undivided fourth parts of the aforesaid tract of land (Except as the 
herein before first in part recited Deed and two last mentioned Deeds 
is excepted) To the above named Francis Wells and John Faye and 
their several respective heirs. To Hold the aforesaid Three undi- 
vided fourth parts of the said Tract of Land and premises to th e 
use of the said Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye and 
their several respective heirs and assigns, That is to Say one of the 
said Three undivided Fourth parts apiece to each of them the said 
Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye and their respective 
heirs and assigns. Subject to a certain proviso in the herein 
beforementioned Grant of the said Great and General Court, Ex- 
pressed and Contained as in and by the aforesaid Three Deeds Poll 



12 



lots aside from the two sixty acre lots given to each of 
the first fifty settlers. A grant was made of a ten acre lot 

(relation being thereunto had) may now at large appear : Whereby 
the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, 
and John Faye are become tenants in Common of and in the afore- 
said Tract of Land (Except as is before excepted) and whereas the 
said Tract of Land (Except as is before excepted) by the mutual 
Consent and Agreement of all the said Parties to these presents, hath 
for the better making a Division and Partition of the same between 
them, and that each of the said Parties may hold and bring his part 
and proportion thereupon severally to himself, his heirs and assigns, 
been divided into fifty one * * * * * Lotts of 
Land laid out and numbered as in the Plan and Division thereof in 
the Schedule hereunto annexed and Subscribed by the said parties 
(with their respective names is expressed and set forth. 'Nob) tfcfs 
Inacntute 2&Uftnessetf), That for Dividing and Parting the afore- 
said Premises between the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis 
Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye as is aforesaid. It is Cov- 
enanted, Granted, Concluded, and Agreed by and between the said 
Parties to these presents, and each of them for himself and his heirs 
doth Covenant, Grant, Conclude and fully Agree to and with each 
other and his heirs and assigns in manner following : That is to 
say, The said Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye, 
each of them severally answering for himself and his own acts 
only, and not one for the acts of the other, do for themselves and 
their respective heirs, Executors and Administrators, Covenant, 
Grant and Agree to and with the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, 
his heirs and assigns, that he the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, 
shall or may from henceforth have, hold, occupy, Possess and 
Enjoy the "Thirteen" following lots of the aforesaid Tract of Land, 
Viz : Number one, five, ten, fifteen, nineteen, Twenty Three, 
Twenty-Seven, Thirty-one, Thirty-six, forty, forty-four, forty- 
nine and Thirty Two, Lotts thereof as the same have been laid 
out and Divided by Mr. Roger Newbury of Windsor, in the colony 
of Connecticut #*•### an( i according to 

Plan and Division thereof contained by the above mentioned schedule 
hereunto annexed, to him the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, his 



13 



in the center of the town, for public uses and as a general 
common. 

heirs and assigns in severalty in full satisfaction of his fourth part 
or share of the said tract of land and Premises to the only sole and 
proper use and behoof of himself his heirs and assigns forever. 
And that and notwithstanding any act matter or thing had, made, 
committed, suffered or done by them the said Francis Brinley, 
Francis Wells, and John Faye or any of them free and clear of and 
from any lawful claims, Demands, and Incumbrances whatever, 
and the said Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye, have 
Remised, Released and Quit-claimed and each of them by these 
presents Remise Release and forever quit-claim unto the said Chris- 
topher Jacob Lawton, his heirs and assigns all the Estate, Right, 
Title, Interest, Property, Portion, Claim and Demand whatsoever of 
them, the said Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, and John Faye 
and every of them of in and to the aforesaid thirteen Lotts of 
Land, and every Part Thereof herein before mentioned to be allotted, 
assigned and appointed by these presents to him the said Christo- 
pher Jacob Lawton, his heirs and assigns severally for his before- 
mentioned part and share of the aforesaid tract of Land and 
Premises, and the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Wells, 
and John Faye, each of them severally answering for himself and 
his own acts only and not one for the acts of the other, Do for 
themselves and their respective heirs, Executors and administrators 
Covenant, Grant, and Agree to and with the said Francis Brinley, 
his heirs and assigns that he the said Francis Brinley shall or may 
from henceforth have, hold, Occupy, Possess, and Enjoy the 
thirteen following Lotts of the aforesaid Tract of Land, Viz : 
Number four, fourteen, Eighteen, Twenty-two, Twenty-six, 
Thirty, Thirty-four, Thirty-nine, Forty-one, Forty-eight, 
eleven and twelve, Lotts thereof, as the same have been laid out 
and Divided by the said Mr. Roger Newbury of Windsor, in the 
said colony of Connecticut Gent. # # # # and 

according to the plan and Division thereof contained in the above 
mentioned schedule hereunto annexed, to him the said Francis 
Brinley his heirs and assigns in severalty in full satisfaction of the 
fourth part or share of the said Tract of Land and premises, to the 



14 



The other lands in the town were laid out in 500 acre 
lots. It is here worthy of remark that the exact figure 

only sole and proper use and behoof of himself his heirs and 
assigns forever. 

And that notwithstanding any act, matter or Thing had, made, 
committed, suffered or Done by them the said Christopher Jacob 
Lawton, Francis Wells and John Faye or any of them free and 
clear of and from any lawful claims, Demands and Incumbrances 
whatsoever, and the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Wells, 
and John Faye have Remised, Released and Quit-claimed and each 
of them by these presents Doth Remise, Release and forever quit- 
claim unto the said .Francis Brinley his heirs and assigns all the 
Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Property, Portion, Claim and Demand 
whatsoever of them, the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis 
Wells, and John Faye, and every of them of in and to the aforesaid 
thirteen Lotts, and every part thereof herein before mentioned, to 
be allotted assigned and appointed by these presents to him the said 
Francis Brinley, his heirs and assigns in severalty for his before 
mentioned part and share of the aforesaid Tract of Land and Pre- 
mises ; And the said John Faye, Christopher Jacob Lawton and 
Francis Brinley, each of them severally answering for himself and 
his own acts only and not one for the acts of the other. Do for 
themselves and their respective heirs, Executors, and Adminis- 
trators Covenant, Grant and Agree to and with the said Francis 
Wells, his heirs and assigns, that he, the said Francis. Wells, 
shall or may from henceforth, have, hold, Occupy, possess and 
Enjoy the twelve following Lotts of the aforesaid tract of Land, 
Viz : Number Three, Seven, Twenty-one, Twenty-five, Twenty- 
nine, Thirty-five, Thirty-seven, Forty-three, Forty-seven and 
Fifty-one Lotts thereof, as the same have been laid out and 
Divided by the aforesaid Mr. Roger Newbury # # # 
and according to the plan and Division thereof contained in the 
above mentioned schedule hereunto annexed to him the said Francis 
Wells, his heirs and assigns in severalty, in full satisfaction of his 
fourth part or share of the said tract of Land and Premises, to the 
only, sole and proper use and behoof of himself, his heirs and assigns 
forever. And that notwithstanding any act, matter or thing had, 



I, 



of the town plot and the uniformity in the location and 
dimensions of the lots of land, form a system of order 

made, committed, suffered or done by them the said John Faye, 
Christopher Jacob Lawton, and Francis Brinley or any of them free 
and clear of and from any lawful claims, Demands and Incum- 
brances whatsoever. And the said John Faye, Christopher Jacob 
Lawton, and Francis Brinley, have Remised, Released and Quit- 
claimed and each of them by their presents Doth Remise, Releas e 
and forever quit-claim unto the said Francis Wells, his heirs and 
assigns, all the Estate, Right Title, Interest, Property, Portion, 
Claim and Demand whatsoever of the said John Faye, Christo- 
pher Jacob Lawton and Francis Brinley and every of them of in 
and to the aforesaid Twelve Lotts and every part thereof herein 
before mentioned to be alloted, assigned and appointed by these 
presents to him the said Francis Wells, his heirs and assigns in 
severalty for his before mentioned part and share of the aforesaid 
tract of Land and Premises. And the said Christopher Jacob Law- 
ton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells, each of them severally 
answering for himself and his own acts and not one for the acts of 
the other, Do for Themselves and their respective heirs, Executors 
and Administrators, Covenant, Grant and Agree to and with the said 
John Faye, his heirs and assigns, that he the said John Faye shall 
or may from henceforth, Have, Hold, Occupy, Possess and Enjoy 
the Thirteen following Lotts of the aforesaid tract of Land, Viz : 
Number Two, Six, Nine, Sixteen, Twenty, Twenty-four, Twenty- 
eight, Thirty-Three, Thirty-eight, Forty-five, Forty-six, and 
Forty-Two # # # # Lotts thereof, as the same 
have been laid out and divided by the aforesaid Mr. Roger Newbury 
* # * * and according to the Plan and Division 
thereof contained in the above mentioned schedule hereunto annexed 
to him the said John Faye, his heirs and assigns in severalty in full 
satisfaction of his fourth part or share of the said Tract of Land 
and Premises, to the only, sole and proper use and behoof of himself 
his heirs and assigns forever. 

And that notwithstanding any act matter or thing, had, made, 
committed, suffered or done by them the said Christopher Jacob 
Lawton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells or any of them free 



~t 



16 



and arrangement which is not to be found in any other 
town in the county — if in the State. It was a method 

and clear of and from any lawful Claims, Demands, and Incum- 
brances, whatsoever. And Lastly the said Christopher Jacob 
Lawton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells, have Remised, 
Released and Quit-claimed, and each of them by these presents, 
Doth Remise, Release and forever quit-claim unto the said John 
Faye, his heirs and assigns, all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, 
Property, Portion, Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said 
Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells and 
every of them of in and to the aforesaid Thirteen * * 

Lotts and Every part thereof herein before mentioned to be allotted, 
assigned and appointed by these presents to him the said John Faye, 
his heirs and assigns in severalty for his before mentioned Part or,, 
share of the aforesaid Tract of Land and Premises. * * 

Xtt tKPftness whereof, the above named Parties to these presents 
have hereunto Interchangeably set their hands and Seals the day 
and year first above written. 

CHRISTOPHER JACOB LAWTON, [Seal] 
FRANCIS BRINLEY, [Seal] 
FRANCIS WELLS, [Seal] 
JOHN FAYE, [Seal] 

Upon the back of the Parchment we find the following : 

Worcester, ss. Leicester, March 30, 1737. 

The within named Christopher Jacob Law r ton, Francis Brinley, 
Francis Wells, Esqrs. and Mr. John Faye, personally appeared 
before me the subscriber, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace 
for the county aforesaid, and severally acknowledged the within 
written instrument by them executed to be their free act and Deed. 

JOHN CHANDLER, Junr. 
Signed, Sealed and delivered 
In presence of us, 
Joseph Heath, 
John Huston, 
John Chandler, Junr. 



17 



well adapted to make certain the limits, preserve the 
boundaries, and secure the property of land-holders and 
purchasers. To this cause more than any other may 
be attributed that harmony which has so generally pre- 
vailed among the owners of land in this town. Few 
questions of disputed title have arisen to create disturb- 
ance and jealousy in the minds of the inhabitants ; 
questions which have been the source of so much bitter 
controversy and expensive litigation in many other 
places. 

In 1741 the town was incorporated by the name of 
Blandford ; previous to that period it had borne the 
name of Glasgow. 

The inhabitants of the city of Glasgow promised the 
citizens of this town, that if they would continue its 
former name they would present a church-bell to them. 
It was the design of the people that it should bear 
the name of Glasgow. Therefore they petitioned the 
General Court for that name. But William Shirley, who 
had been appointed Governor of the province of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay under the Crown of Great Britain, had 
just arrived from England in a ship bearing the name 
of Blandford. In honor of said ship, he chose to have 
the new town which applied for an act of incorporation 
called by its name. Hence the name of Blandford 
instead of Glasgow was given to this town. This 
alteration would not have been made, it is supposed, 
had not the survey of Gen. Newbury embraced more 
territory than was originally intended. Hence by the 
gain of the proprietors the people lost the promised bell. 
These early inhabitants were so poor that they were 
compelled to solicit many favors from the proprietors 
2 



18 



of the town. They frequently petitioned the Colonial 
Legislature for grants of money and remission of taxes. 
This being a frontier settlement the court patiently 
listened to their prayers, and cheerfully imparted the 
solicited boon. At one time forty bushels of salt were 
given to the town to be distributed among the inhabit- 
ants. 

In 1755 a special favor granted by the Court is 
noticed upon their records, and acknowledged in the 
following terms : 

" By virtue of a petition put into the Great and 
General Court of Boston by the Rev. Mr. Morton in 
behalf of this town, the Honorable Court was pleased 
to grant us one swivel gun as an alarm gun, with one 
quarter barrel of powder and one bag of bullets for 
the same, and also one hundred flints for the use of the 
town, which we have received and paid charges on the 
same, from Boston to this town, which is two pounds 
and sixteen shillings old tenor, to Captain Houston." 

In 1758, owing to the embarrassing circumstances of 
the first settlers, the General Court discharged them 
from the obligation of furnishing their quota of men for 
the public service. In the spring of 1749, the Indians 
began to make encroachments upon the white settlers of 
the town, and all the families but four fled to the neigh- 
boring towns ; some to Westfield, others to Windsor, 
Sufrield, Simsbury, and Wethersfield, Conn. A portion 
of them returned the following autumn, the remainder 
the next spring. At an early period three forts were 
erected ; the first upon a lot now owned by Elijah Knox, 
another upon a lot now owned by Col. Justin Wilson, 
and the third upon the farm now owned by John Gibbs. 



19 



At night all the families were collected into these forts. 
This state of things continued for the space of a year ; 
and even long after that, on the least alarm, the inhab- 
itants fled at dead of night from their own dwellings to 
seek refuge in these fortifications. How imminent and 
trying their situation ! They seldom repaired to the 
field to their daily toil without taking fire-arms and plac- 
ing a sentinel to keep guard while the others labored. 
Nor did they deem it safe to meet on the Sabbath for 
religious worship unarmed. These fears and dangers 
were incident to all the American settlements. The 
Indians, being the original and rightful occupants of 
the soil, were unwilling to relinquish their titles and the 
graves of their ancestors. Hence the frequent Indian 
wars which proved such a scourge to the colonies. 
However, the inhabitants of the mountains were less 
exposed to their depredations than those of the valley. 

The banks of the great rivers were the common 
resort of the savages, while the mountains, abounding in 
deer and wild turkeys, served as an occasional hunting- 
ground. 

The first person buried here was laid near the center 
School house, beneath a large chestnut tree ; and if we 
are correctly informed, he bore the name of Gibbs. 
In 1742 a regular burial grouud was laid out, in the 
south part of the ten-acre lot granted them by the 
proprietors. 

Previous to clearing the ground, the inhabitants held 
a town-meeting, and voted the day and the precise hour 
of the day for the commencement of the work. Every 
male inhabitant who refused to appear and engage in 
the work at that time was to pay a penalty of six 



20 



shillings. The lot then selected now constitutes the 
burial ground. 

For many years after the settlement of the town, our 
most wealthy farmers cut only sufficient hay to winter 
a cow and a few sheep. Those who kept horses were 
obliged to have them wintered in Westfield. Such 
persons, when they wished to obtain grinding, were first 
compelled to go to Westfield for the horse then back 
home to obtain the grain, and then return to the mill at 
Westfield, and again home and then back with the horse; 
making on the return a distance of sixty miles for one 
grist of meal. Many are the instances when they 
carried their grain and returned with their meal on 
foot, thus performing a journey with a load upon their 
back of more than twenty miles. Some families, con- 
sidering the distance, fatigue, and time it required in 
going to and from mill, used to pound the corn in 
mortars. 

The inhabitants who first settled at the center of the 
town obtained most of their hay for many years from 
North Blandford, where we are informed were two 
beaver dams ; one stood where the factory dam now 
stands, and the other near the sawmill of Mr. Orrin 
Sennet. These were demolished, and the grass sprang 
up and grew luxuriantly. 

The method of harvesting this hay was curious. 
Tradition informs us that the laborers — especially 
Israel Gibbs — used a straight stick, which answered a 
three-fold purpose, viz : as snath, rake, and fork ; and it 
was so bungling that it was then, and even now anything 
that is coarse, is called <4 Gibbsey." A cow was taken 
to the meadow, fastened to a tree, and fed with the hay 



21 



while they labored there. The milk afforded them a 
healthful and nutritious beverage. From the circum- 
stance of their harvesting hay at this place, they gave 
it the name of " North Meadow;" a name it has borne 
ever since. 

In surveying the town into five hundred acre lots, a 
triangular strip was left, which was thence called by the 
name of the " Gore." 

Some twenty years after the settlement of the town, 
a grist mill was erected upon the stream and farm now 
owned by Levi Sizer, known as " Bunnell's Mills." 
This was a convenience and gratification to the inhabi- 
tants. The next year after the construction of the grist 
mill dam, a salmon weighing thirteen pounds was taken in 
the pond. He must have ascended the stream, and in en- 
tering the pond must have scaled the dam in a sheet of 
water, which descended nearly ten feet perpendicularly. 

The civil affairs of the town advanced as fast as could 
be expected in a situation so secluded, and where the 
inhabitants were devoted to agricultural pursuits. It 
appears from the records that our ancestors were deep- 
ly interested in the political questions that agitated the 
country at that early date. 

The taxes, arbitrarily imposed upon the colonies by the 
Crown of England, constituted the principal grievance, 
and were regarded by the people of this town, in com- 
mon with the entire country, as unjust and cruel ; and 
they were prompt in selecting delegates in 1775, to at- 
tend conventions at Concord, Watertown, and Boston, 
hoping to obtain a redress of these grievances. The 
persons chosen to meet those particular assemblies were 
William Boies, William Carnahan, and William Knox. 
2* 



22 



When our national independence was declared, and 
the people rushed to arms against the mother country, 
some of our ancestors demurred and boldly avowed 
their loyalty to the King. Hence committees of safety 
were appointed, and several persons were forbidden to 
pass beyond the boundaries of their own farms. But 
it appears that these men occasioned the town but little 
trouble. The town defrayed its proportion of the 
expense incurred in the war, and furnished its quo- 
ta of soldiers. In the memorable " 76," though 
poor in purse, and at the same time taxed to the 
utmost of its ability to sustain the war, this town vol- 
untarily selected a committee of enterprising men to 
collect money for those who would enlist as soldiers for 
the northern companies. In 1778 the town raised =£106, 
and placed it in the hands of the selectmen, to furnish 
clothing for the soldiers. Also committees of safety, 
inspection, and correspondence were chosen, who were 
vigilant in watching the movements of the enemy', 
hoping to be ready for any emergency. In 1779 new 
troubles and difficulties arose among our first settlers. 
The money used for a circulating medium lost its value, 
and ceased to be the true representative of property. 
Indeed, there was no confidence in the paper money 
then issued by the Continental Congress. It was diffi- 
cult to obtain credit, and certainly dangerous to give 
it. These embarrassing circumstances only stimulated 
them to value liberty the more. 

About this time Justus Ashmun was chosen dele- 
gate to attend a convention at Concord, to deliberate 
upon this subject, and to prevent, if possible, the further 
depreciation of the currency. The town raised and 



23 



assessed six hundred and eighty-two pounds of the ex- 
isting currency for military bounty, also to meet a de- 
mand brought against the town for blankets which were 
provided for those soldiers who were employed in the 
service upon the Hudson river. Most of the military 
stores used in the West during the Revolution were 
transported from Boston through this town. The roads 
were then so bad that twenty yoke of oxen and eighty 
men were required to convey a mortar over our hills on 
its way to West Point. 

When the news reached this town that Burgoyne was 
marching from Canada down the Hudson, many of our 
fathers shouldered their muskets and proceeded to meet 
him. Isaac Gibbs received the intelligence at sunset, 
and during the evening moulded three or four hundred 
bullets, and was ready in the morning to mount his 
horse and repair to the scene of action. 

He, together with others, arrived at Bennington 
just after the victory in that celebrated battle had 
turned in our favor. The fresh troops that had collect- 
ed from the surrounding country were stationed as 
guards of the provisions that had been captured, while 
the regular soldiers, weary from hard fighting, enjoyed 
a season of repose The prisoners taken at this battle 
were marched on their way to Boston through this 
town. 

While here a severe snow storm occurred, which ne- 
cessitated them to go into quarters, and occasioned them 
much suffering. They were quartered upon the town 
street, in houses, barns, and whatsoever could shield 
them from the severity of the weather. 



24 



The snow however soon dissolved, and gave them the 
opportunity to resume their march.* 

"It was amidst the scene of the revolution, in 1779 
and 'SO, that the constitution of Massachusetts was 
formed by a convention summoned for that purpose." 
Wm. Boies was chosen delegate to that convention. 
When the constitution had been prepared and was pre- 
sented to the town for their acceptance, the inhabitants 
seemed to have mistaken their duty as well as their 
power. Instead of accepting or rejecting it, or parti- 
cular parts of it, they chose a committee of eleven 
persons to revise and acquaint themselves with the new 
constitution, and report their opinion at a future meet- 
ing. The committee made their report with sundry 
amendments of their own, and the inhabitants voted to 
accept of the new constitution on condition that those 
amendments should be adopted. The vote stands thus : 
Yeas, 28 ; Nays, 1 ; Neutral, 13. 

The constitution received the approval of a majority 

*An incident occurred at the battle of Bennington, as I am in- 
formed by Mr. John Collester, an esteemed citizen and pensioner of 
the U. S., which, though unnoticed by any history of the revolution 
I have read, seems worthy of note. The prisoners were quartered 
in a church for the night, and placed under the care of seven ser- 
geants, upon whom Mr. Collester was requested to keep a vigilant 
eye. About the middle of the night a crash was heard, and the 
soldiers rushed to the windows, when the guards were commanded 
to fire upon them. Seven were killed and restored. But morning 
opened a new revelation. The galleries of the church being weak- 
ened by the multitude of their occupants, had fallen, and crushed 
some and frightened others. Our aged and venerable townsman, 
on learning this fact, regretted the part he had acted, although in the 
discharge of his duty. 



25 



of the citizens of the commonwealth, and the inhabit- 
ants of the town acquiesced in its adoption, though it 
went into operation without the addition of their 
amendments The story is briefly told, and yet it 
speaks volumes of praise for the memory of those 
whose names we bear, who sacrificed, and suffered, and 
bled for the freedom of their country and the altars of 
their God. Simple in their manners, unostentatious in 
their lives, they did not hesitate when the public duty 
called them to action, but met the crisis like resolute 
and decided men, and proved themselves the unwaver- 
ing friends of their country, and the ever wakeful guar- 
dians of her freedom. With them, liberty was not 
what it too often now is — a watchword to rally a party. 
It was in them a sober, constant principle, engaging the 
heart, binding the conscience, and influencing the life. 

About 1791 Mr. Gibbs, father of Martin and Linus 
Gibbs, purchased and brought into town the first single 
wagon used here. The neighbors regarded it as a 
curiosity, and their horses as he drove to church the 
first Sabbath, being affrighted, fled with as much pre- 
cipitation as they do in our own day at the sight of the 
steam engine. It was a matter so strange to the peo- 
ple, that they actually proposed to call a town meeting 
to prohibit the use of wagons. 

Previous to this time, heavy burdens were transported 
upon the backs of horses. A man, his wife, and two or 
three children would mount a single horse to attend 
church or to make a visit. The ladies of those days 
were great equestrians. It was a common occurrence 
for them to ride on horseback from Blandford to Wes- 
tern (now Warren), a distance of forty miles, in a day. 



26 



When a number of young ladies rode in company, they 
enjoyed much pleasure in trying the swiftness of their 
steeds. 

The expenses of the revolutionary war, and the de- 
preciation of the general currency, reduced almost to 
penury many of the inhabitants ; and during a long 
period nfter the war, our agriculturists obtained but 
little cash for their produce. They cleared their lands 
and prepared the way for the future prosperity of the 
town. Peas, beans, flax and flax seed, were the princi- 
pal articles of product. These articles were ordinarily 
transported to Hartford and exchanged for salt, various 
groceries, and such other goods as they needed. 

The clothes worn in those times were principally of 
home manufactnre. Not more than sixty years since, 
one of our first settlers was married in a white linen 
dress of her own manufacture. 

About the year 1807, Amos M. Collins took up his 
residence in this town. He was a merchant of consid- 
erable wealth from Connecticut. His removal to this 
place makes an era in the history of the town. Pre- 
vious to his arrival, the farmers had been devoted to 
the cultivation of grain and wool. The soil and local- 
ity seemed very unpropitious for this purpose, and Mr. 
Collins induced many of them to cease the cultivation 
of these articles and devote their lands to the produc- 
tion of butter and cheese. He asserted this to be a 
plan that would make them rich — proposed to purchase 
the cows and sell them to the farmers, and receive his 
pay in cheese. This proposal was accepted by many, 
and he proceeded to New York and purchased a large 
drove, which was distributed among the inhabitants. 



27 



But they were ignorant of the noble art of making good 
cheese. What could be done 1 Why, this town re- 
former passes from house to house on each succeeding 
morning and imparts to the good house wives all the 
needful instructions on this point. They soon caught 
the idea and produced cheese that would have dis- 
graced no market. This change of occupation pro- 
duced a mighty influence upon the wealth of the town. 
Previously, as we have stated, the people were poor — 
had little to take to market that demanded cash. Now 
the tables were turned ; from being a town depressed by 
penury it hasbecome the richest upon the mountains. 

During the nine years that Mr. Collins resided among 
us, he amassed wealth, * and it is supposed he enriched 
the town, at the least calculation, one hundred thousand 
dollars. He has since become a citizen, and a few 
years ago the Mayor, of the city of Hartford. Shrewd- 
ness and benevolence were prominent traits of that 
gentleman's character. 

The facts we have just narrated furnish abundant 
evidence of the existence of the formerquality. The 
latter may be attested by all who have the pleasure of 
his acquaintance ; an interesting evidence of it is also 
exhibited in the fact, that, subsequent to his leaving 
town he subscribed one hundred dollars to erect a new 
church. Nor ought we to omit to notice a frequent 
although homely saying among the farmers, viz : that 
" Mr. Collins was the making of this town." No higher 
eulogy than this need be coveted. 

The name of Orrin Sage ought to find a prominent 



# $25,000 as we are informed by his book keeper. 



28 



place in this connection. He was the successor of 
Mr. Collins, and well supplied his place as one of the 
most successful merchants in Blandford. For more 
than thirty years he was extensively engaged in buying 
cheese. In this business he gave general satisfaction ; 
" the pay was sure." He always paid the market price 
for that article of merchandise. Individuals from time 
to time desiring to obtain a large price, transported 
their cheese to the neighboring towns and disposed of 
it, but with frequent, and at times extensive losses. 
Mr. Sage was withal a benevolent man. He cherished 
a sincere desire for the general prosperity of the people. 
By his enterprise and economy he amassed a large 
property, and in time of distress the inhabitants found 
in him a true friend and benefactor ; and we might well 
affirm, for many years he was " the Bank" of Blandford. 
The high standing he took in the moral enterprises of 
the day has obtained for him many warm and lasting 
friends. About two years since Mr. Sage removed to 
Ware, and is now President of the Hampshire Manu- 
facturers' Bank. We are informed that he has lately 
made a donation of one thousand dollars to the Con- 
gregational Society of our town. 

EDUCATION. 

As may be supposed, the town was not favored with 
many educational privileges during the early part of its 
history. The habits of the people, too, were inimical to 
education. Only a few possessed an interest in the sub- 
ject; but these few accomplished what they could. Those 
parents who were interested in education, for many 



29 



years taught their own children. The first action of 
the town upon the subject of schools, as appears by 
the records, was in September, 1756 : 

•f Voted, To grant three pounds to Be Layed out to 
Hyre a school-master. Said school to Begin the 17th 
of Feb'y at such places as the committee may direct." 

The first regular school in the town was taught by 
James Carter, a sea-captain, in the house of Robert 
Black. Mr. Black's house was preferred to any other 
because it had two rooms in it. For several years 
after, the schools were kept in dwelling-houses, and 
continued only two months in the year. 

In 1753, " Voted, That the five pounds Given to us 
By the Honorable Corte and two pound more to Be 
applied for the use of schooling." 

1759 was the first year a school was taught by a 
female, as appears by the records. "Granted six 
pound for schooling this year. Voted, Chosen Israel 
Gibbs, James Mountgomery, William Michel to Be 
committee to Hiar a School Deame, and to Dispurs the 
money Granted by the town to Defra the charges of the 
schooling, and to employ a school master when they 
think it will be Best for the town for this year." 

In 1760 £\0. were appropriated for schooling. 
In 1762 the town was divided into three school districts, 
and a vote passed at town meeting to build three school 
houses. One of these was erected in the pine grove 
near the house of George Cline, the second one near 
the residence of Henry Wilson, and the third near 
the place where Mr. Stanton Clark now lives. After 
the erection of these houses the people made rapid 
progress in education. A teacher was now employed 
3 



30 



for three months in a year ; one month for each district. 
This was only eighty-eight years ago. How great the 
change since ! We pass from these times to a later 
period. In 1802 the town was divided into thirteen 
school districts. The same number now existing. 
During the year 1805 Widow Jane Taggart be- 

| queathed to school district number three twelve hun- 
dred dollars, to be expended for purposes of education 

| within that district. 

In 180S the inhabitants obtained from the Legisla- 
ture an act of incorporation and more ample power, by 

j which they were enabled to manage the fund. 

In March 1833 an additional act passed the Legisla- 
ture, constituting the freeholders of the district the 
trustees of the fund. This fund was put at interest, 
and the amount is now twenty-five hundred dollars ; 
a fine sum to enable the district to prosecute its educa- 
tional projects. With these moneys it surpasses any 
district in town in the facilities for a good education. 
We regret to be compelled to state here that a pro- 
longed and expensive litigation has grown out of this 
noble bequest. What might else have proved a refresh- 
ing remembrance has become a subject of fiery 
discord. By the aid of this fund, the inhabitants of 
the district have been able to maintain a select school 
for twenty years, from three to six months e achyear. 
This school is at present under the instruction of Mr. 
Henry B. Lewis, a skillful and experienced teacher. 
A select school has also been sustained at the center 
of the town a portion of the time for several years. 

The following is a list of the students we have 
furnished for the colleges : 



31 



E!i Boise, son of Deacon Samuel Boise, entered Yale 
College in 1788, and died before he finished his educa- 
tion. He was the first young man who went to college 
from this town. 

William Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., graduated 
at Williams College in 1801. He studied divinity with 
Rev. Doctor Bacchus, of Somers, Connecticut, settled 
in Tinmouth, Vermont, afterwards removed to Water- 
town, Ohio, and died in 1S23. 

Joseph Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., graduated 
at Williams College in 1807. Studied law and located 
in Greenwich, New York.. 

Patrick Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Sen., graduated 
at Williams College in 1808. He is now a lawyer in 
Westfield. Granville claims him " by adoption," we 
claim him by birth and early education. 

Artemas Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., gradu- 
ated at Williams College in 1816. He was pastor of a 
church in Charleston, South Carolina, for a few years, 
afterwards at South Hadley, Boston, and New London, 
Connecticut. He died at the latter place in 1844. 

Gardner Hayden, son of Joel Hayden, graduated at 
Williams College in 1816. He is now a settled minister 
in Brunswick, New York. 

J. Hooker Ashmun, son of Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., 
graduated at Williams College in 1813. Read law in 
Northampton, afterwards became professor in the law 
school at Harvard University, and died in 1833. 

Hon. George Ashmun, son of Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., 
was a native of this town, removed to Northamp- 
ton when four years of age, graduated at Yale 
College in 1823. Is now a lawyer of the firm of 



32 



Chapman, Ashmun, and Norton, in Springfield, and 
Representative to Congress from the sixth district. 

Lester Lloyd, son of John Lloyd, graduated at 
Williams College in 1814. He studied law in this 
town, and is now practicing in Ohio. 

Lucius Smith, son of Asa Smith, graduated at Wil- 
liams College in 1817. lie read law in this town — [ 
practiced for several years in his profession in Ohio, 
and died in 1840. 

Horace Smith, son of Asa Smith, graduated at Wil- 
liams College in 1819. He read law in Worthington, 
and soon after died in that town. 

Asa Blair, son of Captain Asa Blair, graduated at 
Yale College in 1810. He was settled a few years in 
the ministry at Kent, Conn , afterwards removed to 
Georgetown, S. C, and died some twenty years since. 
Harper Boies, son of William Boies, graduated at 
Williams College in 1825. Studied divinity and settled 
in Harpersfield, New York. 

John P. Boies, son of William Boies, graduated at 
Union College, Schenectady, read law in this town for 
several years — practiced in the lower Courts in Illinois, 
and is now Judge of a Circuit Court. 

Augustus Collins, son of David Collins, graduated at 
Williams College in 1825. He went South, engaged 
in teaching, and died about 1830. 

Aratus Knox, son of Eli Knox, entered Washington 
College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1825 ; died a short 
time previous to completing the course. 

Russell A. Wilson, son of Andrew Wilson, graduated 
at Union College in 1823, at twenty years of age. 
He commenced the study of law with L. Ogden, 



33 



Esq., in Catskill, New York, and finished with H. 
Jones, Esq., of Stockbridge — located in this town, 
and died in 1838. 

Eli W. Lloyd, son of James Lloyd, 2d, was a 
member of the senior class in Union College, and died 
in Ohio in 1834, aged 22. 

Samuel Knox, son of General Alanson Knox, grad- 
uated at Williams College in 1833; read law with his 
father in this town, is now a lawyer in Saint Louis, 
Missouri. 

Custing Eels, son of Joseph Eels, graduated at 
Williams College in 1830, studied divinity with Rev. 
Doctor Cooley, of Granville, and is now a missionary 
among the Indians in Oregon. 

Simeon ShurtlefT, son of Amasa ShurtlefT, graduated 
at Amherst College in 1834. He is now a successful 
physician in Westfield. 

Chauncey Hall, son of Dr. Eli Hall, graduated at 
Amherst College, in 1S35, is now practicing medicine 
in Northampton. 

Edwin Hall, son of Doctor Eli Hall, graduated at 
Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1837, and is now a settled 
minister in Guilford, Connecticut. 

Tyrrill Blair, son of Doctor N. Blair, graduated at 
Williams College, and is now a settled minister in 
Durham, New York. 

D. P. Robinson, son of Zelotes Robinson, graduated 
at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 
in 1841. He is now engaged in the mercantile business 
in this town. 

James R. Boise, son of Enos Boise, Esq., gradu- 
ated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 
3* 



34 



in 1844. He is now a Professor of " the Greek 
Language and Literature," in that University. 

Franklin O. Blair, son of Linus Blair, graduated at 
the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, in 
1848. He is now principal of the Springfield Wes- 
leyan Seminary, at Springfield, Vermont. 

James C. Hinsdale, son of Rev. Charles J. Hinsdale, 
graduated at Yale College in 1848. He is now read- 
ing law in Springfield. 

Patrick R. Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Esq., 
graduated at Williamstown in 1843. He is now a 
successful lawyer in Chicopee. 

Fisher A. Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Esq., graduated 
at Williams College in 1849. He is now reading law. 

Daniel Butler, son of Captain Henry Butler, received 
a liberal education, and is now a Congregational min- 
ister in Connecticut. 

Henry Smith Atwater, son of Russell Atwater, 
received a liberal education, and is now an Episcopal 
minister in Otis. 

We should not overlook the few female students 
which our town has produced, viz : 

Catharine Wright, daughter of Doctor S. P. Wright, 
graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1S42. 

Celia Wright, daughter of Doctor S. P. Wright, 
graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 
1846. She married the Rev. Mr. Strong, and went 
as a missionary to the Choctaw Indians in December 
1846, and died in 1850. Her remains were brought to 
this town by her bereaved husband, and interred in the 
family ground. 

Sarah Hinsdale, daughter of Rev. Charles J. Hins- 



35 



dale, graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary 
in 1846. 

Mary Pease, daughter of Deacon Eli Pease, gradu- 
ated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1846. 

Mary P. Boies, daughter of Reuben Boies, Esq., 
graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 
1850. 

Our town has not been deficient in talent. Some 
superior men have issued from her bosom, who had not 
the advantages of a collegiate education. Eli P. Ash- 
mun was the first lawyer who took up his residence in 
the town. As an advocate he was uot inferior to any 
in the counties of Hampden and Hampshire. 31 r. 
Ashmun subsequently represented Massachusetts in the 
United States Senate. George Ashmun, our present 
representative in Congress, a man of decided wit and 
practical talent, was born among us. 

General Alanson Knox, son of Elijah Knox, read law 
with Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., and was his successor in the 
practice of law in this town. He now resides in Ohio. 

Reuben Knox, son of Elijah Knox — a skillful phy- 
sician, practiced for several years in North Carolina, 
and is now engaged in his profession in Saint Louis, 
Missouri. 

Joseph Knox, son of Elijah Knox, read law with 
General Alanson Knox, and is now counselor-at-law 
in Rock Island, Illinois. 

William Blair, son of Asa Blair, is now a lawyer in 
Westfield. 

Phineas Blair, son of Rufus Blair, read law, located 
in Boston, and died in 1848. 

David Scott, son of John Scott, read law in this 



36 



town, located in Pennsylvania, and some ten years 
since was appointed Judge of a Circuit Court. 

George Scott, son of John Scott, is a lawyer, who 
has held stations of trust in Towanda, Pennsylvania. 

David Scott, son of Re«ja«iin Scott, is a physician 
now practicing in Pennsylvania. 

Anson Boies, son of Samuel Boies, was a physician 
located in Chester. Now dead. 

Eli and Levi, sons of Samuel Boies, are physicians ; 
one of them settled in Homer, the other in Brookfield, 
New York. * 

Thomas Baird, son of Aaron Baird, read law in this 
town, and settled in Ohio. 

Eli and Otis, sons of David Boies, are physicians ; 
the former is now practicing in Huntington, the latter 
in Lime, Ohio. 

Albert Boies, son of David Boies, for several years 
practiced law in Whitehall, New York, and died in 1840. 

William Baird, son of Aaron Baird, studied medicine 
with Doctor S. P. Wright, located in Deerfield, and 
died in 1838. 

Chester W. Freeland, son of James Freeland, is a 
physician, and is located in Becket. 

Edward Hatch, son of Linus Hatch, completed the 
study of medicine with Doctor Bryant in 1846. He is 
now a physician in Meriden, Connecticut. 

Lewis J. Blair, son of Charles Blair, qualified him- 
self for the practice of medicine — located in Spring- 
field, Ohio, and died in September, 1849. 

Lester, son of George Noble, studied Dentistry with 
Doctor Keep of Boston, and made the notable set of 
teeth by which the body of the late Doctor Parkman 



37 



was identified. He was a prominent witness in the 
case, Commonwealth vs. Professor John W. Webster, 
and is a superior Dentist. 

Samuel S. Rogers, son of Joseph Rogers, is a physi- 
cian, now in California. 

Noah S. Bartlett, son of Delano Bartlett, is a Dentist 
and Physician, and is now practicing in Chester Village. 

Stanley Lucas, son of Lucas, is a dentist and 

physician, now engaged in the practice of the same at 
Chester Factories. 

Roswell, son of Giles Tracy, a young man of the 
first order of talents, studied Medicine in Northampton, 
and while there, assisted in dissecting the bodies of 
Daily and Halligan. He went South and died soon 
after he commenced practice. 

Some years since, the Rev. Doctor Cooley, of 
Granville, remarked to E. Boies, Esq., that he did 
not know of any town on these mountains, which had 
raised up and educated so many great and good men 
as Blandford. We desire no higher eulogy. 

Since the year eighteen hundred the town has appro- 
priated twenty seven thousand dollars for educational 
purposes ; an average of five hundred and fifty dollars 
per year. Seven hundred dollars has been appropriated 
the present year, and we hope the time will soon come 
when the town will appropriate, at least, two-thirds as 
much as the inhabitants now pay out for the noxious 
weed tobacco ; * which is, as nearly as we can ascer- 
tain, about fifteen hundred dollars per year. 

* Probably there is more money paid out for this article than is 
raised for the support of the Gospel. 



38 



The cultivation of the intellect and moral sentiments 
of the youth is of vast importance. Parents cannot 
possibly bequeath a more valuable legacy to their 
children. Certain it is, this century will stamp upon 
the next its character. Every generation forms the 
reputation of the succeeding one. 

It is true our town has done much, perhaps more 
than any town on these " Heaven Kissing Hills," for 
the rising generation. But she is abundantly able to 
do more ; and when the question shall again come up 
in our town meetings to raise one thousand dollars for 
the support of the schools, we hope some of our wealthy 
farmers, who have their thousands at interest, will not 
hang back, while others are struggling to assist the 
youth in ascending the hill of science. We should 
remember that we are transacting business for another 
generation, which is soon to take our places in society. 
A greater good cannot be conferred upon those who are 
to succeed us, than that they be thoroughly fitted and 
qualified for the duties of life. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 

* " Most of the first settlers organized into a church 
under the Presbyterian form and usages, before they 
left Hopkinton. Their attention was early and earn- 
estly directed to the establishment of the gospel ministry 

* P. Boise's Address. 



39 



in this place. They seemed to feel as if their pros- 
perity and well-being depended upon this object. 
The measures' taken for hiring and ordaining ministers 
were transacted in town meetings, and, as appears from 
the journal of proceedings, formed a greater portion of 
the business of the meetings. It was the only purpose 
for which they seemed willing to raise money and pay 
taxes. The church, as an independent body, gave the 
invitation to the ministers, and transacted the business 
necessary for their ordination, while the town acting 
in a parochial character, gave advice and direction to 
the church. 

The presbyterian mode of government was contin- 
ued until the year 1801. In the month of September, 
of this year, the church finding it ' inconvenient to 
practice according to the Presbyterian plan of gov- 
ernment,' adopted a new and separate form of govern- 
ment, viz : the congregational." 

The Rev. Mr. Keep gives the following description 
of the first meeting-house erected in this town : — 

" The original proprietors of the town entered 
into covenant with the first settlers, to set up a frame of 
a meeting house, and to cover the outside, and put in 
glass windows. This they were to do for the people, 
besides giving them ten acres of land in the center, 
fur a common, and one hundred sixty-acre lots. The 
frame of the meeting house was set up in 1740. The 
men who assisted in raising it were most of them from 
Westfield and Suffield. The frame stood one year, the 
sport of winds and tempests, before it was covered. The 
boards which were used for the covering were brought 
from Southampton and Westfield. But the glass windows 



40 



were not supplied until after a lapse of more than twelve 
years. Thirteen years the people met in the house for 
worship without any floor in it, excepting some loose 
boards, the earth, and the rock upon which it stood. 
Their seats were blocks, boards, arid movable benches. 
A plain box, instead of a pulpit, was used for the accom- 
modation of the preachers. The first floor was laid in 
1753, four years after the ordination of their second 
minister. In 1759 they " Voted, To build a pulpit, to 
make a pew for the minister, and to build seats in the 
body of the house, upon the ground floor." This was 
a great effort as it was carried into effect. It was next 
allowed to individuals who felt disposed, to occupy 
either side of the house with pews, if they would make 
them at their own expense, and finish them by the end 
of the year, and build up the walls to the girts. In 
1760 it was voted to lay the floor in the front gallery. 
The next year the gallery timbers on the sides were put 
up, and the stairs built. In 1781 it was voted to take 
up the seats in the body of the house, except two next 
to the pulpit, and to fill up the ground floor with pews. 
In the following year the two side galleries were made 
by taking the seats from below, and the walls ceiled, 
up to the girts. In 16S6 the house (forty six years 
from the raising of the frame) was plastered. The 
steeple was built by subscription. In 1789 the town 
voted to give the subscribers liberty to erect a steeple, 
but refused to appropriate any thing in aid of it. 

The year following the town agreed to purchase a 
bell. In 1791 measures were taken to put on a new 
covering and to paint the same. In 1794 the timbers 
under the gallery were covered, and in the Autumn 



41 



of 1805, a few days previous to my ordination, the 
posts and some other timbers were cased, etc. Such 
is a brief history of this house for religious worship, 
and all must allow, considering the manner in which it 
was built, that its appearance is quite as good as could 
he expected. We may look around these walls and 
say, — " Sixty and five years was this house in the 
process of building." But we cannot add, — " Its 
glory corresponds with the use for which it was de- 
signed," or " the circumstances of the people for 
whose accommodation it was erected." Nor can we 
say, — " Lord, we offer the first and the best." 

Mr. Keep also says, that "previous to 1775 the 
method of singing had been for all who felt disposed 
to join their voices, while the clerk or deacon read the 
line of the psalms as they were sung. To this method 
some were so attached as to plead a wounded con- 
science when any change was proposed." The lead- 
ers of church music were chosen at town meetings, 
and were under the implied, if not expressed direction, 
to conduct the singing in the "good old way." A 
modern chorister may smile at the following vote, 
passed as late as 1771. The question was raised 
whether the sinoinor should be carried on with the beat? 
— it was voted in the negative. 

Caleb Taylor, of Westfield was the first singing- 
master who taught here ; and when he named the 
tune and sang with the beat, many were so grieved at 
the indecency of the method, that they actually left the 
meeting-house. 1 have always noticed that the main- 
tenance of good singing in religious assemblies is 
attended with many difficulties. Old people are sure 
4 



42 



to object to any change. The youth are often incon- 
stant, and money is very grudgingly appropriated for 
that purpose. From early youth I have been con- 
versant with this subject, and I say, unhesitatingly, that 
churches and religious societies are criminated by 
neglect of singing. Every congregation should make 
provision for the support of singing, as well as for the 
ministry, or for a comfortable house to worship in. 

This church has been favored with talented preach- 
ers, who have exerted a salutary influence. Look at 
the graduating list of our colleges. Notice the num- 
ber which have gone forth to preach "Christ and him 
crucified " from this town. The following are the 
names of the pastors who have been settled over this 
society. 

Rev. William McCIenathan settled, 1744 

" Mr. Morton 

" Joseph Patrick 

" Joseph Badger 

44 John Keep 

" Dorus Clark 

" Charles J. Hinsdale 
Blandford took the lead in this region by erecting a 
new house for religious worship. This church edifice 
which was built in 1822, has been an honor to the 
town, and is spoken of abroad as being the noblest on 
the mountains. 

In regard to the Episcopalian Church, we have not 
been able to learn much of its early hisiory. We are 
informed, however, that about the year 1790, the 
Rev. Mr. Badger asked for a dismission from the 
Presbyterian Church, but was refused by his church 



ti 


1749 


(( 


1772 


It 


1787 


(1 


1805 


.( 


1823 


(C 


1836 



43 



and society. This placed Mr. Badger* in a dilemma 
from which it required no little stratagem to extricate 
himself. To succeed in his wishes, it is said he com- 
menced preaching with great power and efficiency the 
doctrine of unconditional election. This caused a 
division in the congregation. The disaffected portion 
separated from the other, and estahlished a new church 
after the form of the Church of England. This 
church sustained preaching a part of the time, until 
about the year 1830 At this time the church erected 
an Episcopal church edifice. The institutions of the 
church were sustained for about fifteen years. They 
have a snug fund, the object of which is to sustain the 
ministry. 

In the year 1826 a Baptist church was organized, 
consisting of about forty members. The following 
year the Rev. Charles A. Turner was ordained, and 
preached here for several years. During his ministra- 
tion numbers were added by bnptism and profession to 
the church. There are several worthy families who 
have sustained preaching a part of the time until the 
past year. We are informed their number is now 
thirty- five. 

Within the last few years two vigorous and flour- 
ishing Methodist Episcopal societies have sprung up ; 
the one at North Blandford, the other at Blandford 
Center. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Church erected their 
church edifice in North Blandford in 1845. The 
Rev. Mr. Bigelow, then their stationed minister, is 

* Mr. Badger succeeded in his enterprise. 



44 



entitled to much credit for his activity, prudence, 
and wisdom in uniting the people to build a house of 
worship. In the years 1846 and 1847 the Rev. Mr. 
Braman was stationed here. His labors much in- 
creased the congregation. In the years 1848 and 1849 
the pastoral labors of the Rev. Mr. Sherman were 
highly appreciated by the church and congregation. 
The Rev. Mr. Wood is the present minister. Mr. 
Wood has already (although he has been with us but a 
short time) manifested a deep interest in the cause of 
popular education, and is evidently one of those men 
who perceive the importance of beginning at the 
foundation of society to exert a moulding influence. 
Thiafc church gives great promise of doing extensive 
good. Hitherto its influence has been salutary, and we 
trust still more numerous and healthful influences will 
emanate from it. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Center has 
been quite prosperous since its organization. The 
names of D. P. Robinson, Esq., and Rev. N. E. Cob- 
leigh, may be appropriately noticed in this place as 
persons who accomplished much for the society in its 
infancy. Much praise is clue the Rev. Mr. Cobleigh, 
who toiled and sacrificed to organize a society, and to 
erect a place of worship, in the years 1846 and 1847. 
About this time there was a transfer of many members 
from the first Methodist Episcopal Church to the 
second. In the years 1847 and 1848 the Rev. Mr. 
Ward was stationed over this church. In the years 
1849 and 1850 their present pastor, the Rev. Mr. 
Chapin, has been more vigilant than any of his prede- 
cessors in looking after the interests of this church. 



45 



A Methodist Episcopal society of great antiquity 
exists in the south part of the town, known as " Beach 
Hill." A portion of the congregation is collected, 
however, from the adjoining town of Granville. In 
the view of Methodists, many precious memories clus- 
ter about that society. There their fathers assembled 
and worshipped God. There the young received many 
of the most salutary instructions ; and there, too, many 
were brought from darkness into light, and made 
children of God. 

We ought here to notice that an annual conference 
was held there more than half a century ago, the only 
one ever held upon these mountains. Some of our peo- 
ple attend a Methodist Episcopal Church at Chester 
Village, which, however, stands in Blandford. In all, 
not less than $1,000 is annually raised for the support 
of preaching. 



ROADS. 

The first settlers of this portion of tj^e State must 
have had romantic notions; for it appears they were in 
the habit of building their roads over the highest hills, 
it being so much nearer, we suppose, to go over a hill 
than around it, — so much easier for horses, and so 
much more agreeable to travel upon, especially in 
winter. We are informed that when the first road was 
made from Springfield, west, the pioneers who laid it 
out traveled to the top of the first hill, then started for 
4* 



4G 



the highest peak of the next, and so on, until they 
arrived at Albany. And what is still more remarkable, 
they endeavored to locate their meeting-houses as near 
heaven as possible, — placing them on the summit of 
the highest hills. 

A road was laid out from Springfield to Great Bar- 
rington, which passed through the south part of this 
town, soon after its settlement. We obtained a copy 
of a grant, from the State Records, of 300 acres of 
land to a Mr. Pixley, who was to " have, occupy, and 
own said land," if he fulfilled the following conditions, 
viz. : — " Provided that the said Pixley shall erect a 
public house upon the mountains, half way between 
Springfield and Great Barrington ; and that the said 
house shall be forty feet long, twenty-five feet wide, 
and nine feet posts, &.C., &,c. ; and that the said Mr. 
Pixley shall provide wholesome food for travelers, hay 
and grain for horses, at the usual prices, &c, &c." 

Tradition informs us that that house was erected on 
the farm now owned by Almon J. Lloyd, and that for 
several years it had no floor nor chimney. A fire was 
constantly kept upon the ground in the center ; logs 
eight and ten feet long were drawn in by a horse and 
rolled upon the log heap fire ! the smoke passing out 
through a hole in the roof. This location was favor- 
able to Mr. Pixley, on account of a large meadow 
which for years had been covered by water in conse- 
quence of a " beaver dam." By removing this dam, 
grass grew in abundance, and was easily obtained. 
The meadow is now owned by James L. Shepard. 

Roads in those days were hardly worthy of the 
name, and in fact were nearly impassable. It is said 



47 



that two men sank down and expired on their way to 
Great Barrington. For many years the only way of 
transporting heavy merchandize was upon a dray. In 
1795 a mail route from Springfield to Kinderhook, 
New York, passed through this town. In 1806 a mail 
route was established from this town to Hartford. 
Enos Boise, Esq., was contractor until 1828. Since 
then, his son, Watson E. Boise, has been contractor. 

When stages first passed through Blandford, from 
Springfield to Albany, they passed along over the 
town street, by the house of Capt. Lester E. Gibbs. 
And perhaps it will not be boasting for us to state, that 
for six miles on this road, there are better farms than 
on any other road for the same distance upon the 
mountains. In 1829 a turnpike was laid out through 
the poorest part of the town. Strangers passing over 
this road form an unfavorable opinion of our soil and 
enterprise. Soon after the completion of the road, 
an honest Shaker came along and called upon a black- 
smith, and remarked that he supposed it was necessary 
to sharpen the noses of sheep with steel to enable them 
to pick grass from among the rocks and stones. 
Stages ran (where it was level) upon this road, and 
carried the mail until the Western Rail Road went 
into operation. 

Since the year 1800 the town has appropriated 
$53,560 for the building of roads and repairs of 
highways. 



48 



LIST OF POSTMASTERS. 



BLANDFORD. 



Appointed. 

Timothy Hatch, 1795 

Russell Atwater, 1802 

Joseph Bull, 1804 

A. M. Collins, 1808 

Fordice Sylvester, 1818 

Orrin Sage, 1822 



i,} 



Appointed. 

1832 



1833 



Luther Laflin, 
Orrin Sage, 

re-appointed 
Enos Boise, 1848 

Theodore Wilson, 1849 
Lucius B. Shepard, 1849 



NORTH BLANDFORD. 

Lyman Gibbs, 1828 | Geo. C. Collester, 1849 



POPULATION. 

The population of the town at different dates was, — 



In 1790, 


1,416 


In 1830, 


1,590 


" 1800, 


1,778 


" 1840, 


1,427 


" 1810, 


1,613 


" 1850, 


1,515 


" 1820, 


1,515 







The reason why our number of inhabitants has 
decreased since 1800, may be attributed to the fact, 
that, previous to that time, two sixty-acre lots, or one 
hundred and twenty acres, were considered a large 
farm. But after learning the art of making cheese, 
which was profitable, they increased the size of their 
farms by buying out their neighbors, who moved away. 
Now, many of our farmers own from two hundred .to 



49 



five hundred acres. And the establishment of the 
Western Rail Road likewise drew the inhabitants to 
the towns upon the line of that road. 



TEMPERANCE. 

Our town records exhibit many interesting facts, 
indicating a vast change in the habits of the people in 
this respect, which is worthy of notice. We copy a 
few votes from the records. 

1757. " Voted, To give Mr. Root 6 pence Lawful 
money for Each Meal of Vittles each member of the 
council shall eat in the time that they shall Seat Hear 
on our Business, and also 18 pence old tenor per 
Night for each Member of the Council's lodging, and 
that the town pay Mr. Root for the strong Drink that 
the Council drink while they are Hear on our Business, 
saving Syder at their Vittels." 

During the same year, " Voted, That the town shall 
pay to Dea. Israel Gibbs and Samuel Carnahan the 
first Cost for the Rum and sugar the Council shall 
Need while they Seat Hear." 

We learn, also, from the records, that for many 
years the inhabitants at their town meetings adjourned 
for one hour to the tavern, and on their return but 
little business was usually accomplished. 

In the year 1781 twelve town meetings were held ; 
and it appears that the principal business was to ad- 
journ to the " Slaughter-house." Tradition informs 



50 



us, that in those days the man who could drink the 
most and walk the straightest was the best fellow. 
Indeed, some of our ministers were not entirely free 
from this habit. It is said that one of them was fre- 
quently so excited with ardent spirits, that he would 
preach until sunset. This town was settled with 
" Scotch Irish," with increasing habits of intemper- 
ance, which elicited the following remark from a 
gentleman residing in Springfield, while passing 
through the town. Looking at the old church, he 
said, — "You have a high church and a low steeple, 
a drunken priest and cursed people." 

For the first ten years of this century the annual 
sale of intoxicating drinks in this town was probably 
not less than fifty hogsheads. Merchants without 
keeping the " striped pig " could do but little business. 
Indeed, those who were most liberal in treating their 
customers, sold the most goods. 

But not all who engaged in the traffic were success- 
ful. Some years since we found in a temperance 
paper the following statement : 

" There have been in Blandford since the incorpora- 
tion of the town, thirty-eight taverners. Of these, 
three died of delirium tremens ; seventeen became 
intemperate ; one died in the poor house ; eighteen 
lost all their property ; seventeen did not improve their 
pecuniary condition by the business ; three only ac- 
quired property ; four were cursed with intemperate 
wives ; twenfy-five sons and four daughters became 
intemperate." 

All persons, in those days, partook of this poisonous 
beverage. It was kept in the family and administered 



in various ways. We state these facts to give a cor- 
rect idea of the times. But that period has passed 
away, and fairer skies are spread over, and a brighter 
sun shines upon us. We are happy, also, to state, that 
the ministry did much in bringing about a reform. 
The name of Keep, a noble name and borne by a no 
less noble man, cannot be here omitted without de* 
reliction of regard and duty. Twelve years before 
the general temperance reform, he took the lead in 
this grand enterprise, and has imposed upon the in- 
habitants a lasting debt of gratitude. Let his name 
be embalmed, as a most precious relic, in the memories 
of all the people ! The names of A. M. Collins, and 
other good men of the Congregational church who 
have aided in this glorious cause, might be recorded 
here ; but after the time of the Rev. Mr. Keep, none 
operated single-handed and alone. We have quite too 
much intemperance at the present time ; but I trust 
we are no longer peculiar. 

In 1S37 the town instructed the selectmen " not to 
approbate any person to sell spirituous liquors the 
ensuing year." For several years the town passed a 
similar vote ; and in April last, the town gave a de- 
cided majority for the present board of county com- 
missioners. 



MANUFACTURES. 

Although the inhabitants of this town are principally 
employed in agricultural pursuits, its fine water-power 



is by no means neglected. At the falls, in the north 
village, the stream descends one hundred and fifty feet 
within less than the same number of rods; affording 
several excellent mill sites. 

About the year 1812, A. M. Collins, and others, 
formed a company for the purpose of manufacturing 
woolen goods here ; and the materials for erecting a 
factory, and the necessary machinery, were purchased. 
But the sudden depression of business at the close of 
the war, induced them to abandon the project. In 
1822 another company was formed, under the firm of 
Sprague, Gibbs, and Lyman, who completed the un- 
dertaking and manufactured that kind of goods for 
several years, and then dissolved, not having realized 
very large profits. In 1825 Mr. Freegrace Norton 
became proprietor, and he soon after built a second 
factory and mnnaged their operations successfully. In 
1838 Mr. Edwin Ely became associated with him as a 
partner, whose manly course in his public and social 
relations, has gained for him a high reputation for in- 
tegrity, candor, and practical ability. They also have 
a tannery under their control, and are doing an exten- 
sive business. In 1832 a paper-mill for the manufac- 
ture of wrapping-paper was erected by Lyman Gibbs, 
Esq., and is now carried on by Messrs. W. H. & 0. F. 
Gibbs. The tannery of David Bates, at the South 
part, and that of Jarvis Osborn at the center, are 
profitably employed. There are also several wooden- 
ware manufactories, which are doing a good business. 

The value of woolen goods, leather, paper, wooden- 
ware, &c, manufactured annually in the north village 
is $50,000. 



53 



MINERALS. 

We are furnished with the following catalogue of 
minerals found in our town, by Dr. Shurtleff, a 
native of the town, now residing in Westfield : 

Carbonate of Lime at North Bland ford ; white, 
coarsely granular, containing probably Augite in such 
quantities as will make an attempt to reduce it to quick- 
lime, impracticable. 

A stratified bed of Serpentine occurs in the same 
neighborhood, containing grains of Ckromate of Iron 
interspersed through a considerable portion of the 
southern and eastern half of the bed. It also occurs 
in tuberculous masses of several pounds. It contains 
about thirty per cent, of the oxide of chrome. The 
attempt made to work it has been abandoned. 

There is a \evy good bed of Steatite on the farm of 
John Osborn. It has been considerably worked for 
several years. At the same locality are beautiful speci- 
mens of crystallized green and white Actinolte ; the 
green actinolite most beautifully radiated. Chlorite, 
Foliated Green Talc, and Asbestos. 

The richest specimens of Crystallized Actinolite in 
the State are found in boulders in the south-west part 
of the town. 

Octohedrenal Crystals of Iron in talcose mica slate. 

Mammillary Calcedony in small boulders. 

Rich specimens of Kyanite in fragments about town. 

Anthophyllite in a stone wall on the road to East 
Granville. 

Very good specimens of Rose Quartz, 
5 



54 



Crystals of Schorl in Limpid Quartz beautifully ra- 
diated, on the farm of A. Shurtleff. Near this locality 
is a large boulder of coarse Granite with flesh-colored 
Felspar. 

Black Serpentine containing Schiller Spar. 

Coarse granular Limestone, containing plates of 
Graphite in a boulder near the Congregational meeting- 
house. 

Sulphur et of Molybdena, — rather rare. 

Chry sUils of Garnets. 

Mussite, — Prismatic Mica. 

Sulphur ct of Iron. 

About the year 1795, John Baird, who lived in the 
north part of the "second division," discovered a 
mass of lead and silver ore near the north line of the 
town. He cast a portion of it into balls, and sent one 
pound of it by Mr. Knox, then our Representative, to 
Boston, to be analyzed. It was proved to contain nine 
ounces of lead and two ounces of silver to the pound. 
A number of gentlemen from Boston made Mr. Baird 
an offer, which would make him independently rich, if 
he would show them the place where he had discovered 
the ore. Be went from home in a clear sun-shiny day 
through the wilderness into a valley which united with 
the Chester river. The fog from the river rendered 
said valley so dark, that it frightened Baird, who was 
superstitious, to such a degree that neither money nor 
friends could induce him ever after to visit the place. 
Hundreds have searched for that mine, but have never 
discovered it. There is no doubt but that if found, it 
might be worked to great pecuniary advantage. 



55 



THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first settlers of this town were called " Scotch 
Irish," from the fact that their ancestors migrated from 
Scotland to Ireland Being in that country deprived of 
civil and religious freedom, their descendants fled to 
this country and settled in Hopkinton (now Sutbu- 
ry). Thence they removed to Blandford. We have 
been desirous of obtaining the genealogy of all the 
families who first settled here. But as the descendants 
of many of them have gone to the West, and other 
remote regions, we are only able to present the fol- 
lowing : — 

The name Boies was originally Du Boyce, and their 
progenitor wis from France. But during the perse- 
cution of the Protestants, from Charles the Ninth 
to Louis the Thirteenth, when the Protestant power 
was crushed by the influence of Cardinal Richelieu, he 
fled to Scotland and there took the name of Boies. 
Subsequently, amidst the convulsions which followed 
the reign of Oliver Cromwell, he went to Ireland, and 
afterwards removed to America. As nearly as can be 
ascertained, Deacon David Boise came to this country 
about the year 1727, settled in Hopkinton, and after- 
wards removed to Blandford, where he died in 1752, 
aged sixty-three years. The names of his male de- 
scendants may be seen in the the " Boise Tree," fur- 
nished us by a descendant. 



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56 



-, 



Mrs. T. S. Chaffee, daughter of Rufus Blair, Esq., 
furnished us with the following : — 

The Blair family originated in Scotland, where 
many of that name yet remain. They probably re- 
moved to Ireland during the early part of Cromwell's 
rule, and settled upon that part of the island nearest 
Scotland. They, with others of their countrymen, 
appear to have formed a colony retaining the peculiar 
religious and political views of their own country. In 
1720, David Blair, with his family of twelve children, 
embarked for the American colonies. They arrived at 
Boston the same year, and in a few months removed to 
Worcester, which became their home. 

David Blair had eleven children : Matthew, John, 
James, William, Robert, Joseph, Sarah, Dolly, Mary, 
Betsey, and David. 

Matthew was the oldest son. lie settled in Hop- 
kinton, but afterwards removed to Blandi'ord, and be- 
came one of the pioneers in the settlement of the 
town. 

John was ten years old when his father removed 
to this country. He settled in Worcester, and died in 
1796, aged eighty-six years. 

James settled in Rutland, and died there. 

David settled in Western, now Warren, and died 
there about 1790, being eighty-five years old. 

William went to Nova Scotia. 

Joseph, who was the youngest of the family, re- 
mained at Worcester, and died there. 

Robert removed to Blandford and purchased that 
tract of land now called " The Gore." The original 
purchase consisted of five hundred acres. Here he 



57 



built a log house for the accommodation of his family, 
and began to clear the land. The whole region about 
was one unbroken forest, and the foot-path which led to 
the nearest fort, a distance of two miles, was through 
the same undisturbed wild of nature. He remained a 
few years, when his fear of Indians and the distance 
from the fort induced him to return to Worcester. The 
journey was performed upon horseback, carrying his 
wife and three children and household furniture with 
him. They staid five years in Worcester, and then 
returned to Blandford. Mr. Blair was chosen deacon 
of the Presbyterian Church, and served many years in 
that capacity. He died in 1802. 

Matthew Blair had six sons and four daughters. 
Two sons and a daughter settled here, Matthew, 
Robert, and Sarah who married Mr. John Hamilton. 
Matthew was twice married, and had seven sons and 
one daughter, — Robert, Matthew, Jacob, Isaac, Moses, 
and Anna : Adam and James were the children by his 
last marriage. 

David Blair had four children ; Samuel, Williams, 
Ashel (who settled in Cherry Valley, N. Y., had one 
daughter), and Arlina (who married Dea. Lyman Shep- 
herd of Granville.) 

Robert Blair had six children ; Robert, David, 
Dolly, Asa, Rufus, and Hannah. 

Robert Blair had eight children ; Robert, Hannah, 
Jonas, Deborah, Sally, Rachel, Sherman, and Juba. 

Hannah married Mr. Hunter ; they had ten children : 
Robert, Almira, Hannah, Catharine, Orpha, Marcia, 
Samuel, Elvira, John, and Mary. 

Deborah married Mr. Bowditch. They had four 
5* 



58 



children : John, Jonas, Mary, and Julia. She after- 
wards married Mr. Eastman and had two children, 
Beh ia min and Rachel. 

Sally Biair married Ashel Blair, and had one child, 
Arlina. 

Robert Blair had one child, Virgil. 

Jonas Blair was lost at sea. He was unmarried. 

Sherman Blair (who settled in New Haven), had 
nine children : Robert, Grace, John, Mary, Elizabeth, 
George, Frank, Edwin, and James. 

Rachel Blair was unmarried, and lived in Blandford, 
respected and beloved by a large circle of friends. 

Julia Blair was unmarried, and died at New Haven. 

Asa Blair had seven children ; Russell, William, 
Asa, Polly, Electa, Charles, and Betsey. William is a 
lawyer, and resides in Westfield ; has two children, 
William and Helen. Asa is a clergyman, and resides 
in Kent, Conn. He had one son. Electa married Mr. 
Loring Watson. They had six children; Dolly Ann, 
Myra, Loring, Electa, Emily, and Jane. Polly Blair 
married Mr. Wisewald. They had one son, Oliver. 
Betsey Blair married Mr. William Watson, of Albany. 
Charles Blair had four children, Lewis, Julia, Mary, 
and Nelson. J^ewis died at Springfield, Ohio, in Sep- 
tember, 1849. 

Dolly Blair married Mr. David Boies. They had 
eleven children, Gardner, Rufus, Dolly, Joseph, David, 
Lemuel, Orpha, William, Cynthia, Artemas, and 
Justus. Hannah Blair married Mr. Samuel Boies. 
They had one son, Obadiah. Rufus Blair had six 
children : Samuel, Phineas, Dolly, Rufus, Sylvester, 
and Increase. He died in October, 1800, aged forty- 



59 



two years. Samuel Blair had eight children : Justus, 
Chauncey, Samuel, Caroline, Lyman, William, Ann, 
and Eliza. Phineas Blair was a lawyer, and resided 
in Boston. He died in June, 1848, aged sixty-five 
years. Dolly Blair married Mr. Ashel Lyman, and 
resides in Cortland, N. Y. They had five children : 
Ann, Ashel, George, Franklin, and Henry. 

Matthew, Jacob, Isaac, and Adam married, and set- 
tled in this town. James died at the age of twenty-two. 
Robert enlisted in the army, and died of the small- 
pox at Quebec, about the lime that Gen. Montgomery 
was killed. Jacob had seven children : Reuben, John, 
James, Jacob, Nathan, Elizabeth, and Patty. Eliza- 
beth married Mr. Morton. John and James reside in 
the State of Ohio. Reuben Blair had eight children : 
Samuel, Polly, Betsey, Truman, Julia, Martha, Maria, 
and Vincent. Samuel O, Blair had six children : Caro- 
line, Judson, Edmund, Henrietta, Lester, and Sidney. 
Truman Blair had four children : Cornelia, Joseph, 
Mary, and Henry. Julia Blair married Mr. Eli Osborn : 
they had six children : D wight, Edson, Vincent, Aure- 
lia, Helen and Lucia. Vincent Blair was drowned in 
an attempt to ford a river in Missouri Territory. 

James Blair had eight children : Polly, Sally, Dian- 
tha, Mercy, Ann, Franklin, Marion, and Elizabeth. 

Nathan Blair had ten children : Tyrril, Minerva, 
James, Sherman, David, Daniel, Amanda, Leveret, 
Reuben, and Mary Ann. Amanda Blair married Mr. 
Alanson Moore. They had four children : Mary, Jane, 
Henry, and Nathan. 

Jacob Blair had two children : Benjamin and Dolly. 

John Blair had ten children : Lucretia, Henry, John, 



i --- 



GO 



Jacob, Alfred, Russell, Semantha, Ann, Chauncey, and 
Smith. Adam Blair had six children : Adam, Linus, 
Thrall, Polly, Patty, and Creusa. Adam had two 
children : James and Lester. James had four chil- 
dren : Chauncey, Henry, James, and Curtiss. Lester 
had one son, Homer. Linus Blair had four children : 
Creusa, Franklin, Nancy, and Mary. Thrall had two 
sons: William and Linus. Polly had two children: 
Mary Ann and Hiram. 

Timothy Blair was son of John Blair, of Worcester. 
He had no children. He lived in Blandford above fifty 
years, and died in 1837, aged eighty-five years. 

David Blair was son of David Blair, of Warren. He 
settled in Blandford. He had two sons, David and 
Ashel. 

Rufus Blair died April 14, 1844, aged fifty-four years. 
He had five children : Catharine, Melissa, Increase, 
Edwin, and Patrick. Catharine married Mr. T. S. 
Chaffee. She had two children : Sherman and Theo- 
dore. Melissa married Mr. Theodore Wilson. She 
had two children : Catharine and Melissa. 

Sylvester Blair resided in Cortland, N. Y. He died 
at New York, in October, 1836, aged forty years. 

De Witt Clinton had two children : Sylvester and 
Nancy. 

Increase Blair died at Hudson, N. Y., in October, 
1821, aged twenty-one years. 

Mr. James Nye was of English descent. He came 
to this town from Rhode Island in the year 1805. He 
was the first farmer who made cheese among us; and 
in this pursuit he was successful. Although in ordinary 



circumstances when he came to town, it is said that he j 
and his sons at one time owned one thousand acres of i 
land. Mr. Nye was a good farmer, and although he ; 
liked sporting, never neglected his farm. When he ! 
first came to this town wild game was very plenty. 
" It has been calculated that the family of Nves have i 
destroyed more noxious animals than all the rest of the : 
town." Foxes look wild when they are on their track. : 
We unhesitatingly pronounce them the greatest hunters 
in this region of country. Mr. Nye had seven sons i 
and four daughters : George, Jonathan, Hazzard, | 
James, Dennis, Clark, Randall, Sally, Rebecca, Alice, 
and Mercy. All of these children settled around him, 
and could be called together at a few hours' notice. 

George had twelve children : Jonathan, George, 
William, James, Barber, Polly, Dewey, Ann, Lucy, 
Almira, Julia, and Sarah. 

Jonathan had four children : Welcome, Henry, Nel- 
son and Mary. 

Hazzard had two children : Amos and Lydia Ann. 

James had four children : Gilbert, Milo, Justin, and 
Maria. 

Clark has three children : Lyman, Lewis, and Emily. 

Randall has three children : William, George, and 
Almeda. 

Two brothers by the name of Robert and David 
Crosby, emigrated to this country from England, about 
the year 1750. Robert, who was a preacher of the 
Gospel, settled in Chatham, Conn. David settled in 
New Hampshire. Robert had one son, named David, 
who was born in 17G0. He joined thevcontinental army 



62 



and braved the hardships of the revolution. He was 
married about the year 1783 to Grace Stephens of 
Chatham ; came to Blandford and settled on the farm 
now owned by the Nyes. He had six children : Robert, 
Roderick, David, Louisa, Logan, and John. He 
moved from Blandford to Stockbridge, where he 
buried his wife ; from thence to Batavia, then the 
frontier of the New York settlement. Robert became 
a sailor, and died at sea. Roderick and David joined 
the army, and were surrendered prisoners of war to 
the British with Hull's army. Roderick managed to 
escape, but David died a prisoner at Detroit. Louisa 
died quite young. John removed to Meadsville, Pa., 
where he now resides. Logan is the only one of the 
family who remains in the town that gave him birth. 
He married Sally, daughter of Capt. William Knox, in 
1815, and had two children, Alonzo and William. His 
wife died in 1822. He married again in 1824, Olive, 
daughter of Solomon Ferguson, and had two children, 
Sarah and Homer. Homer, a promising young man, 
was killed August 5th, 1845, by being thrown from, 
and run over by, a cart. This was a sore affliction to 
the family. 

Samuel Ferguson, one of the first settlers, had three 
sons: Samuel, James, and John. 

John was a man of talent and influence. He ac- 
cepted many important stations of trust in the town; 
was chosen Captain, served in the revolution, and died 
in 1792. He had eight children: Mary, Eleanor, 
Sarah, Hannah, Isabella, Dorothy, John, and Sam- 
uel. 



63 



It is difficult for us to trace the descendants of the 
Ferguson family, there being none of that name now 
in town. 

Mary married Mr. John Collester, who is now living 
at the advanced age of ninety-four. They had six chil- 
dren: Arby, John F , Samuel, Polly, Dolly, and Ann. 
John F. is the only son now living in town ; he has 
three children : George, Albert, and Frances. 

John Watson, of Scotch descent, came to this town 
from Leicester, in 1788. He married Sarah, daughter 
of Dea. Israel Gibbs. He died in 1825, aged seventy- 
eight. His wife died in 1831, aged eighty years. He 
had eleven children : Lois, Do'ly, John, Samuel, 
William (who died when two years old), Hannah, 
Oliver, James, Loring, Sarah, and William. Lois 
married Mr. John Babcock of Harpersfield. She died 
in 1836, aged sixty -six. Dully married Mr. Noah Shep- 
ard of Westfield. She died in 1829, aged fifty-seven 
years. They had one son, Marble, who now resides 
in town. John married Dorcas Lloyd. He died in 
1834, aged sixty years. Samuel died in 1777, aged 
one year. Hannah married Mr. William Henry, and 
died in 1812, aged thirty-two. Oliver married Mary 
Loring, and had seven children : Caroline, Spencer, 
Mary Ann, Franklin, Julia, Maria, and Joseph. 
Loring Watson married Electa Blair. He had six 
children : Loring, Dolly Ann, Myra, Electa, Emily, 
and Jane. He is now a merchant in New York. Dolly 
Ann mariied Rev. Mr. Bishop, and died at their resi- 
dence in Ohio, in 1844. Sarah Watson married Dr. 
Little, of Middlefield, and died in 1833, aired forty-two 



64 



years. William Watson married Betsey Blair. He 
I now resides in Albany. 

Jonathan Shepard came from Westfield to Bland- 
ford about the year 1770. He had four sons:' Jona- 
than, Ezra, Elijah, Oliver, and several daughters. 
Jonathan had five sons and seven daughters: Laniard, 
Jonathan, Chandler, Eli, Bradford, Electa, Abigail, 
Letitia, Mary, Arlina, Polina, and Sarah. Laniard 
lived and died in Hartford, Conn. He had seven chil- 
dren : Laniard, George, Alonzo, Hiram, Sarah, Maria, 
and Harriet. Jonathan had eleven children : Jona- 
than, Lucius, Joseph, Norman, Philander, Henry, 
George, Almira, Cynthia, Caroline, and Fidelia. 
Chandler settled in the state of New York. Eli has 
seven children : Harriet, Nancy, Lester, Joseph, Lor- 
ing, Nathan, and William. 

Ezra Shepard had three sons : Strong, William, 
and Leavett. For many years he resided in the West- 
ern part of New York. 

Elijah Shepard settled and died in Oneida County, 
New York. He had seven sons and two daughters : 
Elijah, Luther, Riley, Hinsdale, Joseph, David, and 
Jonathan. David has been a presiding elder of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Oneida Confer- 
ence, for a number of years. 

Oliver Shepard had five children : Linus, Lyman, 
Oliver, David, and Sarah. Linus had four children : 
William (who died when eighteen years of age), James, 
Elvira, and Levancia. Lyman resides in Granville; is 
a deacon of the Congregational Church ; has five 
children : Celestia, Franklin, Wilbur, William, and 



65 



Joseph. Oliver resided in Ohio, and died in 1849. 
He had two sons : Orlando and Addison. David has 
four children : Elizabeth, Sarah, Denslow, and Homer. 
Sarah married Mr. Milton Boies. She died in 1843. 

Robert Wilson and his family came from Ireland to 
this country. John, his son, was eight years old when ; 
the family landed at Boston. He resided in that city 
several years, and was captain of a merchant vessel. 
He married Elizabeth Gregg, sister of Col. Gregg, 
and cousin of Gen. Starke, revolutionary officers. 
He then came to Blandford, and purchased the farm 
where Henry Wilson now resides. He lived and died 
on that place. He was much respected, and for several 
years was one of the selectmen and assessors of the 
town. He had three sons and two daughters. John 
married Margaret, daughter of Deacon Samuel Boies. 
Andrew married Martha Baird. George married Sally 
Morrison. The daughters married Deacon Levi Boies 
and Mr. Israel Gibbs. Andrew lived and died upon his 
father's farm. He had a large family of children, of 
whom but one (Col. Justin Wilson) is now living. 
Justin married Semantha Baird ; they have two sons : 
Theodore married Melissa Blair. Henry married 
Abby Baird. Father, son, and grandfather, each mar- 
ried a lady by the name of Baird. 

The Brackets came from Scotland. John Bracket 
came into this town in 1793, from North Haven, and set- 
tled upon the place now occupied by Ely Bracket. He 
had nine children : Francis, Silas, Ithia, Ely, Lydia, 
Lucy, John, Eunice, and Banojah. John moved into the 
6 



6G 



woods, and where he settled cut down a large hemlock 
tree, and built an oven on the top of the stump, with 
clay and mortar, where they for several years used to 
bake their bread. Mr. Bracket was for six years in the 
revolutionary war. He was at Saratoga when Burgoyne 
was taken. During the fore part of the war he enlisted 
nine months in a privateer, under Gen. Hopkins. During 
this time they succeeded in taking seven British ships out 
of a fleet of nine sails, all of which were brought into 
Boston. Mr. Bracket drew a pension until he died, 
which was in 1845, at the age of eighty-six. 

In 1737 William Knox came from Belfast, in Ireland, 
and settled in Blandford, upon the farm where Elijah Knox 
now lives. He had three sons : John, William, and 
Adam. 

John had four sons : William, Elijah, John, and James. 
William had five sons and eight daughters: Edward, 
John, William, Titus, Orrin, Rachel, Nancy, Jane, 
Betsey, Mary, Sally, and Olive. Elijah had seven sons 
and four daughters : Alanson, Ranar, Elijah, Curtiss, 
Justus, Reuben, Joseph, Eleanor, Lois, Hannah, and 
Ruth. John had six sons and three daughters : Henry, 
Elijah, John, Loring, Wells, Russell, Betsey, Rachel, 
and Sally. James settled in Nobletown, N. Y. 

William had six sons : William, Samuel, John, Nathan, 
David, and James. William had three sons and five 
daughters: William, Levi, Justin, Isabel, Eleanor, 
Thankful, Mary, and Sally. Samuel had two sons and 
two daughters : Eli, Samuel, Lucinda, and Betsey. John 
had four sons and three daughters : Henry, John, Gerry, 
Hervy, Clarissa, Harriet, and Philomela. 



67 



Nathan had five sons and four daughters : James, Na- 
than, Seymour, Samuel, Eli, Rachel, Orpha, Polly, and 
Cynthia. David had three sons and three,, daughters: 
Sardis, Lester, Albert, Lois, Anna, and Polly. 

James died in this town. He had no children. 

Alden had four sons and three daughters : Oliver, 
David, William, John, Elizabeth, Jane, and Eleanor. 
William and John settled in Pennsylvania. John was 
Judge of the Court in that State several years. 

William Gibbs, of Lenharn, Yorkshire, England, for 
signal services, obtained a grant from the King of Eng- 
land of a tract of land four miles square, in the center of 
the town. He had three sons ; the oldest remained at 
home and inherited his father's property. The two 
younger sons learned the ship carpenter's trade, and when 
they became of age, their elder brother gave them money, 
and they came to Boston. One of them settled upon the 
Cape, and the other in Newport, R. I. The one (name 
not known) who settled upon the Cape, had children, and 
one of his sons moved to Hopkinton. He had two sons, 
Isaac and Israel, and one daughter, Sarah. Sarah mar- 
ried a man by the name of Duntly. Israel married Mary 
Hamilton, a lady of Irish descent. Isaac and Sarah dis- 
owned him, because of his marriage with an Irish girl. 
This induced Israel to join the " Scotch Irish" company, 
who were on the eve of starting to inhabit this region, 
then a wilderness. 

Israel had four sons and four daughters : John, Israel, 
Ephraim, Isaac, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Sarah. 
All of the children except Elizabeth lived to be over 
eighty years of age. 



68 



John had four children: Israel, Samuel, Mary, and 
Ellen. Israel had four children : Betsey Ann, Polina, 
Fanny, and Julia. He settled in the State of New York. 
Samuel* had four children : Lyman, Olive, Lester E., and 
Jane. Lyman has three sons : William H., Orlando F., 
and Charles. Olive married Mr. Roland Smith. They 
have five children, and reside in Russell, N. Y. Lester 
E. had nine children : Julia, Jarvis, Samuel, David, 
Isabella, Maria, Russell, Edward, and Edson. Julia 
married Mr. Edward Thompson. She has five children, 
and resides in Bethlehem, Conn. Jarvis has one son, 
Howard. Jane married Col. Simeon Loring. They had 
six children : Thomas (now reading law), Rollin S. (now 
studying medicine), Dexter H., Samuel, Cordelia, and 
Eliza Jane. Mary married Mr. Ezra Baird. They had 
one son and two daughters. They reside in Jefferson, 
N. Y. Ellen had four children : Nancy, Eliza, Marietta, 
and Henry. Mr. Baird and his wife died in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., in 1848, where three of his children now 
reside. 

Israel had nine children, Elijah, Levi, Reuben, Nathan, 
Silas, Mary, Rachel, John, and Nancy. Elijah t had 



* Previous to his death he (my grandfather) remarked to me, 
"that within fifty years all of the best farms in town would belong 
to poor men's sons." I believe that prophecy will be fulfilled within 
twenty-five years ; for since his decease, which was about ten years 
ago, many of the very best farms have actually gone into the 
hands of " poor men's sons." 

f He left the largest property of any farmer in town. Although 
his education was imperfect, his sound judgment and natural good 
sense gave him a very prominent position in society. A few years 
before his death he called upon a magistrate and wished to add the 



09 



eleven children : Loving, Levi, Eli, Dwight, Lucius, 
Henry, Israel, Braduer, Orilla, Fanny, and Betsey Ann. 
Loring had eight children : Mary Ann, Nancy, Caroline, 
Louisa, Alonzo, Lafayette, Nelson, and Frank. Levi 
has three children : Achsah, Maria, and William. Dwicrht 
has six children : Sylvia, Rowena, Eiiza, Mary, Russell, 
and Vinson. Lucius has one son, Elijah. Israel has 
five children : Mary, Lucilla, Linneus, Israel, and Ernest. 
Bradner has five children : John, Julia Ann, Jane, Emer- 
gene, and Elijah. Rebecca married Mr. Ebenezer Pat- 
terson. They had a large family. Nathan had five 
children. Silas had two sons and two daughters : Spel- 
man, Nathan, Nancy, and Betsey Ann. Mary married 
Mr. James Babcock, and settled in the town of Scott, 
N. Y. Levi had thirteen children. He removed to the 
State of New York, but has one son, Eli, residing in 
Becket, who has two children : Orrin and Mary. Rachel 
married Mr. William Knox. They had two sons : Lev- 
eret and Eli. John had five daughters : Polly, Polina, 
Lucinda, Julia Ann, and Nancy. Nancy married Mr. 

following codicil to his will, having heard that some of his children 
were determined to break the will after his decease : — 

" Whereas, many estates have been spent in law by children 
while endeavoring to obtain more of their father's property than he 
designed to give them, and whereas my children may be as likely as 
others to do the same ; therefore, if any of my children shall attempt 
to break this my last will and testament after it shall have been 
read to them, it is my will, design, and wish, that that child or those 
children who shall attempt to break this my last will and testament, 
shall have no part of my property ; and that the same shall be 
equally divided among my other children, who shall be satisfied 
with their father's bounty." 

6* 



70 



Rufus Boies. They had seven children, and reside in 
Homer, N. Y. 

Isaac had eight children : Martin, Oliver, Jonas, Ches- 
ter, Isaac, Linus, Sally, and Hannah. Martin had six 
children : Luther, Chester, Curtiss, Lois, Anice, and 
Anna. Oliver had seven children. He settled in Har- 
persfield, N. Y. Jonas had five children. Eli, Lewis, 
Chauncy, Harriet, and Polina. He, also, settled in Har- 
persfield. Isaac had three daughters : Mary Ann, Emily, 
and Eunice. Linus had eleven children : Sarah, Dolly 
Ann, Lydia, Harriet, Marietta A., Caroline, Ellen M., 
Jonas, Nelson D., Joseph A., and Arthur. 

Ephraim had seven children : Abner, Russell, Sarah, 
Eunice, Elizabeth, Rhoda, and Polly. Abner had seven 
children : Peter, Charles, Ephraim, George, Franklin, 
Nancy, and Mary Ann. Porter has eight children : 
Catharine, Helen, Charles, Abner, Mary, Rovvena, Sarah, 
and Henry. Charles has five children : Reuben, Re- 
becca, Charles, Abby, and Francis. Ephraim has eight 
children. George has two children : Sheldon and Henry. 
Franklin has one son, William. Nancy married Mr. 
Orrin Fairman. They had six children. Mary Ann 
married Mr. Chandler Cartter. She died in 1846. Rus- 
sell resides in Lanesboro'. Sarah married Mr. Benjamin 
Bruce. They had ten children, and resided in Jefferson, 
N. Y. Eunice married Mr. Israel Lloyd. They had 
five children : Sergus, William, Maurice, Cynthia, and 
Caroline. Elizabeth married Mr. David Boies. They 
had ten children : Joseph, Curtiss, Albert, Sylvester, 
Almira, Caroline, Catharine, Orpha, Nancy, and Mary. 
Rhoda married Mr. William Culver. They had three 



71 



children : Horace, Mary, Marcia. Polly married Mr. 
Linus Blair. 

Mary married Mr. Wilson. They had six children : 
Settled in Cherry Valley. 

Rebecca married Mr. John Cannon. They had nine 
children. 

Elizabeth married Mr. William Lusk. They had ten 
children. 

Sarah married Mr. John Watson. 



We may, in conclusion, appropriately notice the natural 
peculiarities and advantages of our town. It is situated 
upon the summit of that branch of the Green Mountains 
which extends from Vermont into the western part of this 
State, and is highly celebrated, not only for the industry 
and enterprise of its inhabitants, for the fertility of its 
soil, and for numerous reasons of similar character,"but also 
for the extreme purity and excellency of its atmosphere, 
and for the abundance of fish and game with which its 
many streams and forests are stocked. And in each and 
all of these respects, we may well consider Blandford as 
little inferior to any place in the Union. 

Its scenery is most delightfully grand, wild and pic- 
turesque, and to the experienced eye of the artist, nothing 
can surpass the gorgeous views which Nature has here 
scattered with lavish profusion. The dense forest, the 
verdant hill, the flowery vale, the lofty mount, all conspire 
to flood the mind with emotions of pleasure and praise. 

Its brooks trickle down rugged rocks, along blossoming 



72 



dells, meandering through grassy meadows and entangled 
thickets, overflowing with brook-fish of the choicest kind 
and most sparkling hue. The ponds, of which there are 
many, likewise abound with fish of larger size and excel- 
lent quality, and the forests shelter game of almost infinite 
variety of species. We may here fitly remark, for the 
benefit of strangers, that good accommodations are fur- 
nished in regular sportsman-like style, by the gentlemanly 
landlords of the Hotels, both at North Blandford and at 
the Center of the town. And also the feeble invalid, 
weary traveler, or exhausted student, may at these places, 
have strict attention paid to their various wants and neces- 
sities. 

The innumerable blessings which are thus showered 
upon us, should induce the bestowal of everlasting praise 
and adoration upon the Divine Being, through whose 
bounteous benefaction they are received. 



73 





TOWN l 


CLERKS. 








Chosen. 




Chosen. 


James Hassard, 




1742 


David McConoghey, 


1794 


David Boies, 




1745 


Joseph Bull, 


180o 


John Knox, 




1748 


Reuben Blair, 


1809 


David Boies, 




1750 


Alanson Knox, 


1811 


David McConoghey, 


1752 


Orrin Sage, 


1819 


Wm. Haston, 




1753 


Alanson Knox, 


1821 


Robert Black, 




1754 


Russell A. Wilson, 


1830 


Robert Henry, 




1757 


Orrin Sage, 


1832 


Wm. Boies, 




1762 


Samuel S. Day, 


1S36 


Robert Black, 




1766 


Orrin Sage, 


1838 


Wm. Boies, 




1767 


Enos Boies, 


1839 


Judah Bement, 




1773 


T. S. Chaffee, 


1842 


David McConoghey, 


1779 


D. P. Robinson, 


1849 


Robert Blair, 




1778 


Col. Justin Wilson, 


1850 


Samuel Sloper, 




1790 






The present 


board 


of Se 


lectmen are : T. S. Chaffee, 



Leverett Sackett, John Parks. 

The present town-house was built in 1822. 



REPRESENTATIVES FROM BLANDFORD. 

In the years not named, the town was not represented. 

Wm. Knox, ) 

w ^ . } To Provincial Congress — 1775. 

Wm. Carnahan, j to 

For many years the town could not get any one to ac- 
cept the office of Representative, and as appears from the 
Records, " Voted to send if we can get any one to accept." 





74 


i 


UNDER THE < 


INSTITUTION. 






Chosen, i 




Chosen. 


Timothy Blair, 


1787 


David Blair, 2d, 


1821 


John Ferguson, 


1789 


Reuben Boies, Jr., 


1825 


Reuben Boies, 


1792 


i« tt <( 


1827 


U (< 
If a 


1793 
1794 


Alanson Knox, * 
Israel Cannon, ( 


1828 


Jedediah Smith, 


1795 


Reuben Boies, Jr., 


1829 


II |l 


1796 


Orrin Sage, 


1830 


Reuben Boies, 


1797 


« «t 


1831 


William Knox, 


1799 
1801 


David Parks, \ 

Lyman Gibbs, ) 


1831 


Eli P. Ashmun, 

(( II 


1803 
1804 


Justin Wilson, \ 
Lester E Gibbs, j 


1832 


David Boies, 


1805 


Orrin Sage, * 
Lognn Crosby, ) 




K << 


1806 


1833 


Joseph Bull, 


1807 


Kilborne Bates, > 
Milton Bo es, I 


1834 


Edward Pincheon. 


1808 




Samuel Knox, 


1811 


Curtiss Hall, 


J 1835 


Alanson Knox, 


1812 


Russell A. Wilson, 


Alanson Knox, \ 
Andrew Wilson, J 


1813 


Da iiel Collins, ) 
Adam Blair, > 


1836 


Andrew Wilson, ) 
Alanson Knox, J 


1814 


S. S. Day, 
S. W. Loring, 


1837 
1839 


Alanson Knox, ) 
Isaac Lloyd, S 


1815 


Horatio G. Lewis, 


1840 


Watson E. Boies, 


1841 


Isaac Lloyd, ) 
David Boies, S 


1816 


Edwin Ely, 


1842 


1UXU 


Leverett Sackett, 


1843 


Abner Gibbs, 


1817 


Sharon Bradley, 


1S44 


(( «( 


1818 


Vincent Bradley, 


1845 


« k 


1819 


Rev. AmosG. Bowk 


er, 1848 


David Boies, 2d, 


1820 


Albert Knox, 


1849 



<i> 



In the year 1820, Enos Boise and Abner Gibbs were 
delegates to the Convention to revise the State Constitu- 
tion. 



SENATORS. 

Hon. Alanson Knox of this town, was a member of the 
Senate from Hampden County, in (he year 1820 ; Hon. 
Orrin Sage in the years 1835 and '36 ; and Hon. Reuben 
Boies, Jr. in the years 1837 and '38. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Justus Ashmun, 
Russell Atwater, 
Jedediah Smith, 
David Boies, 
Reuben Boies, 
William Knox, 
Reuben Boies, Jr. 



Lyman Gibbs, 
Enos Boise, 
Orrin Sage, 
Justus Boise, 
Rufus Blair, 
Eli Pease, 
D. P. Robinson. 



7G 



PHYSICIANS. 

The following is a list of Physicians who have prac- 
ticed in Blandford : — 



Dr. King 

" Brewster 

" Elmr»r 

" Nathan Blair 

" Eli Hall 

" Silas P. Wright 

u Horatio Bryant 

" Selah P. Webb 

" Wm. B. Miller 



Commenced practice 



a 



1750 
1780 
1795 
1805 

1807 
1818 
1838 

1848 
1849 



